Tuesday, January 01, 1974
I prepared breakfast for my family this morning. After breakfast I built a wheat bin in the pantry. It is positioned over our wheat grinder so that we could more easily grind our own flour and cereal. I also installed a shelf above the clothes washer so Mae could store her wash soaps and other wash items. We held our Family Home Evening at 2PM so that Sandi could go to a show with some friends. We then put some food storage away. After we got that done we played games with the children to finish our Family Home Evening with the younger children.
Wednesday, January 02, 1974
Shellie is having a bad time with the Chicken Pox. I only worked ½ a day so I could get some odd jobs done around the house. We played a game with the children before then went to bed. I then wrote a letter to Mom and Dad Jensen.
Thursday, January 03, 1974
I chased around with Larry today. Picked up materials for tomorrow, then Larry helped me put a trailer hitch on my van. This evening I went to oral evaluations with the Bishopric. Mae has had a bad day today.
Friday, January 04, 1974
After work I went to Dr. Opie’s for a treatment. I cut some wood to make center pieces for Mae. This evening Mae & I went over to Larry and Tammy’s and to visited with them. As none of us had eaten dinner, the four of us decided to go out for a snack. When we came back to their place we played Rook while we visited. We got home at midnight.
Saturday, January 05, 1974
I went to the Temple this morning to help with baptisms for the dead. I got home at 3PM. We took the Christmas tree and decorations down this evening. We retired early.
Sunday, January 06, 1974
Mae, Sandi and I gave the talks in the Sunday school opening exercises this morning. Mae stayed home from Fast and Testimony meeting as she did not want to leave Shellie again, plus she needs the rest. Mom and Dad Porter came over for a while this evening.
Monday, January 07, 1974
David woke up this morning with a bad cough. We had a nice Family Home evening tonight. I decided to start spending a few minutes with each of our children weekly, just listening. This has been suggested and Mae and I discussed doing it. I got some gas from Larry.
Tuesday, January 08, 1974
David has been sick all day and he was up most of the night. I relaxed this evening and watched TV. I also helped Mae with some Primary things.
Wednesday, January 09, 1974
After super this evening I helped Shellie with her school work. I then played with the children. Mae was busy with Primary so I bathed the boys. I got gas from Larry for the van.
Thursday, January 10, 1974
Sandy and I baked a cake this evening and cut it into the shape of a lion, for the Daddy Daughter Date tomorrow evening. Mae was busy with primary.
Friday, January 11, 1974
Mae has been busy all day with finishing the preparations for the Daddy Daughter Date party. Sandy and I went up to the party at 7PM. We had a wonderful evening. The program was a very successful. Mae and I didn’t get to bed until 11:30PM. “I sure love Mae!” I added this note to the end of the entry.
Saturday, January 12, 1974
I worked today trying to get a job finished. This evening Mae and I picked up the Caldwell’s and the Fraizer’s and the six of us went to the Know Your Religion serious. Sandy came down with the chicken pox today.
Sunday, January 13, 1974
It was a normal Sunday with the regular meeting to attend. Bill Tryon spoke in Sacrament meeting before leaving on a mission call. Sandy isn’t feeling very well today. Jim and Marion Frazer came over this evening. We enjoyed visiting for a while.
Monday, January 14, 1974
Mike came down with the Chicken Pox this morning, he is sure feeling miserable. Sandy is also having a bad time, from the Chicken Pox. Even with the two of them being sick we still had a nice Family Home Evening tonight. We were very tired so went to bed early tonight. Mae has had a very busy day.
Tuesday, January 15, 1974
Sandy is starting to feel better but Mike is still miserable. I went to Dr. Oppie after work, for an adjustment. A little after 7 this evening Deloy Porter called me and asked if I could go over to his place and help him move some tables and chairs. I went over and it didn’t take long. When I returned, Mae, Sandy and I watched a show on the TV before going to bed.
Wednesday, January 16, 1974
Mike is still quite sick with the Chicken Pox. After getting home from work I played with the children. Later Mae and I went for a walk. When we first moved down to Arizona I remember that we would go for a walk in the evenings and was very comfortable to go in shirt sleeves and just slippers to protect our feet from stepping on rocks. Now I find that we put on winter coats for our walks. It is interesting how the body adapts. When we came back we watched some TV before going to bed.
Thursday, January 17, 1974
David hasn’t been very sick but today he has signs of the Chicken Pox on him. I was quite discouraged when I came home from work. I am very concerned with job security and finances. Mae and I talked for a while after eating dinner. I then fell asleep for a while. Mae woke me at 10PM and we visited until mid-night before going to sleep. I sure love that gal!
Friday, January 18, 1974
After getting home from work this evening, I mowed the lawn. Mae then had dinner ready and we ate. While I showered, Mae did up the dishes. Mae and I then went shopping. When we got home we watched some TV. David is feeling quite miserable this evening while Mike is starting to feel some better.
Saturday, January 19, 1974
David has been quite sick last night. He kept us up until at 3AM when I put him in bed with Mae. I slept the rest of the night on the couch. After getting up I figured a bid on a job. I went to the Temple to work in the Baptistery today. When I got home I tended the children while Mae took a nap. This evening Mae and I went to a show. Mae has been having some pains but we are not sure how serious they are.
 Mae stayed home with him this morning so she missed the morning meeting. I traded her and stay home with David this evening. Mae has a few labor pains throughout the day but nothing serious. (I sure love her!!!)
Monday, January 21, 1974
Mon and Dad Jensen were here when I got home from work. They arrived here about 4PM. We had a nice Family Home Evening. Then I visit with Dad while Mom and Mae sewed a dress for Shellie. Mae was up until 1AM finishing the dress.
Tuesday, January 22, 1974
After dinner this evening I built a shelf in the utility room. Doug Caldwell called and had me come over to his home. Last Sunday in our Priesthood class we were discussing the story of Joseph being sold into Egypt. After Joseph was raised to the Governor of Egypt under Pharaoh, he was given the daughter of one of the Egypt Priest to be his wife. From this marriage came Ephrin and Manassa of which the Priesthood blessings continue. I asked how the Priesthood could come through Egyptian linage if the Egyptians are of the seed of Cain? Brother Caldwell had been researching my question and found the answer in the Second 2000 Years by Leon Scousen. This evening Mom, Dad, Mae and I stayed up and played Rummy.
Wednesday, January 23, 1974
I worked at the Temple this evening performing baptisms for the Dead. We had extra help this evening and the group that was assigned didn’t show up so some of us volunteered and were baptized. When I returned home Mom, Dad, Mae and I again played Rummy before going to bed.
Thursday, January 24, 1974
This evening I again attended the Temple to work in the Baptistery. We only had 8 names to do so we finished pretty early. I stopped over at Larry’s to figure up the bills on the job I just finished.
Friday, January 25, 1974
This evening Mae and I attended a party in honor of Deloy and Louis Porter. I believe that Deloy and Lois are moving to Utah for employment. It was held at Bishop and Sister Price’s home. It was fun to get together with everyone. We got home at 11:30PM.
Saturday, January 26, 1974
I went to the Temple this morning and got home about 11AM. After I got home we took Mom and Dad Jensen and our family for a ride. After that we went to Pioneer park for dinner. This evening I attended a Leadership meeting. When I got home Mon, Dad, Mae and I stayed up and played Rummy until 10:30PM.
Sunday, January 27, 1974
This morning was our Stake Conference. The meeting was very good. We held Ward Council at 12:15PM, then Welfare meeting, then chorus practice and Sacrament meeting. David and Sandy are still not feeling very well and so they stayed home.
Monday, January 28, 1974
Mae went into the Doctor this morning. He said that he would deliver the baby tomorrow. Mae also took David into a new Doctor, Dr. Swanstrom. Dr. Swanstrom practices alternative medicine, although he has a medical degree from a medical college in the U.S. He then went to Europe where he received additional training in Germany and France, before returning to Boston to practice. Due to health he moved his practice to Scottsdale Arizona for the drier climate. Sister Price is the one that recommended that Mae take David into see him. She had experienced a heart attack and the Doctors had put her in complete bed rest. We had been told that they gave her very little chance of ever getting out of the bed, not alone ever taking care of her family again. Last Sunday, we saw her to meetings. Mae talked with her and she told about her experience with Dr. Swanstroum. With the great concerns we are having with David’s health, in desperation Mae called Sister Price. She got Dr. Swamstroum’s phone number and called him. He didn’t have an opening for several days but he recognized Mae desperation and told her that if she could come in during his lunch hour, he would see David. Mae was there and after testing David, He said that David was low on Calcium, Iron and Sugar. Without those essential elements the oxygen going into his lungs could not be transferred to the body. The chicken breast that has developed on David is from the great effort he is using to get air. In reality David is suffocating. He explained that David was low on iron, potassium and sugar. He gave Mae some supplemental to replenish those needed items. We had a nice F.H.E. and then we all went to bed early.
Tuesday, January 29, 1974
At 7AM I took Mae to the Good Samaritan Hospital in Mesa Arizona. When they started to take Mae into the delivery room the nurse said that I would have to go to the Fathers Waiting room. I told her no, I have been with my other children when they were born and I would be with Mae for this one. She said that they didn’t do that in this hospital so I would not be able to. I asked to speak with the Doctor. He told the nurse to get me a gown and then he told me that if I fainted he would just kick me off into a corner for he didn’t have time to worry about me. At 11:27AM Mae gave birth to a 8lb 4oz baby boy. I stayed with Mae until 2 PM. I then went to work for 2 hours. After dinner this evening I took the children to the hospital so they could see Mae and their new brother.
Wednesday, January 30, 1974
I worked until 11AM and then took the rest of the day off. I went to the hospital to see Mae and our baby. Mae’s room has been extra hot so she didn’t sleep very well. She had complained to the nurse but nothing had been done. I got a chair and felt the incoming air and it was hot. I took a piece of cardboard and stuck in the vent to at least stop hot air from coming in. I brought the children up to see Mae and the Baby about 7PM. I sure love that gal.
Thursday, January 31, 1974
I was able to bring Mae and Scott home from the hospital about noon. Both Mae and the baby are doing fine and they are filling well. The children are sure excited to have them home. We got word that Larry went into the hospital at 3PM for exploratory surgery on his throat.
Friday, February 01, 1974
I visited Larry at the hospital before going to work this morning. I spent the evening at home. After putting the children to bed, Mae and I drove up to the store and bought some ice cream. We played Rummy with Mom and Dad Jensen before we went to bed. With the ice cream we usually cut a cantaloupe in ½ and use it as a bowl for the ice cream. We really like that!
Saturday, February 02, 1974
I gave all the children, except Scott, a hair cut today. I worked on our income taxes most of the afternoon and evening. As a family we watched TV with Mom and Dad Jensen. We then put the children to bed. We then played a game of Rummy with Mom and Dad. Usually we have a cup of Postum along with Ginger Snap cookies when we played Rummy with Mom and Dad Jensen. That is becoming a tradition.
Sunday, February 03, 1974
We attended meetings most of the day until 4PM. During Fast and Testimony meeting Sandy, Shellie and I bore our Testimony’s. David still isn’t feeling well. As a family, we joined in prayer. Dad Jensen and I then gave David a blessing through the Power of the Priesthood.
Monday, February 04, 1974
Mae took David into the Doctor again. He said that he is improving very rapidly. We had a nice Family Home Evening and then I spent a few minutes with each of my children. I sure love Mae!
Tuesday, February 05, 1974
Mom Porter flew down this afternoon and will stay for a while. Mom and Dad Jensen are going to stay at the West’s. The West’s are friends of Mom and Dad from Idaho Falls. They have a trailer home here in Mesa and spend each winter here in Arizona. This evening I attended Priesthood Home Teaching Oral Evaluation at the Church house. Bishop Reese doesn’t expect a 100% of the families to be visited each month, but he douse expect that the Priesthood Leaders to contact and get a report from at least one of the two Brothers that are assigned to Home Teaching District. The first question that he will ask the Priesthood Leaders when they come to Oral Evaluation is, have you visited with at least one member of each set of Home Teachers. If not he will excuse the Priesthood Leaders and set another appointment for them to come back to give him their report.
Wednesday, February 06, 1974
After work I played with the children for a while. I then went over to Gary Toland and checked out some repairs they need done. This evening Mae, Mom Porter and I played a game of Rummy before going to bed.
Thursday, February 07, 1974
After coming home from work Mae and I went to Stapples where we bought 200 lb of wheat for storage. We also bought 18 empty 5 gallon honey cans to store the wheat, rice and beans in. When we got home I filled the cans with our storage. Mae and little Scott are both doing very well. I sure love them along with all the rest of my family.
Friday, February 08, 1974
After coming home from work this evening I spent some time working on a train I am building for the children. When I hang doors I use a circular drill saw for cutting the door knob holes. I have been saving the round peace of door frame and will use them as wheels for the train cars. As a family this evening we watched a show on TV before putting the children to bed. After that Mae, Mom Porter and I played a game of Rummy.
Saturday, February 09, 1974
Today I repaired the kitchen table, repaired Brother Toland’s door, got our food storage put away and sold our old Chevrolet for $25.00. This evening I attended our Ward Conference Leadership meeting. After that Mom Porter, Mae and I attended a “Know Your Religion” lecture. It was very good.
Sunday, February 10, 1974
I was in meetings most of he day today. Mae only attended Sacrament meeting today as she isn’t feeling very well this evening. This evening I I feel like I might be coming down with a cold.
Monday, February 11, 1974
I have been working on a new Subdivision, east of Greenfield and North of Brown. I believe that I started this job shortly after finishing the Sun City project. Ken Osburn was the superintendent on this job. I had finished the interior finishing of 4 or 5 homes in this subdivision and Ken was very pleased with my work. I am not sure just when Ken came to me but I will add this detail here. Ken Osburn came to me with a concern about the last home I had finished for him. He had sold the home to a couple, without children, and they wanted several changes to the home. First they wanted the third bedroom converted into an office. In the office they wanted the cloth closet removed and a book case built in place of the closet. They then wanted an “Oak U shaped desk” built in and stained a light oak. From the bottom of the U they wanted a Ecology Box designed wall, constructed out of rough sawn 4” X 6”s, stained a dark oak, from the desk top to the ceiling. Next they wanted to change the Family Room by adding high gloss black painted chair rail around the walls. They wanted to cover the lower half of the wall with a Bright Red wall text. The upper wall and ceiling painted in a bright white. The floor in the Family room carpeted with a black and white checker board design. The carpeting in the living room was to be shag white and the covering in the rest of the home was to be in a blond carpet. Although I didn’t agree with the changes it was ok with me to do the work. I did make one suggestion that Ken agreed with me and that was that I just remove the closet doors, storing them in the back of the closet and then building shelving that would fit inside the door opening. This way, if someone in a future date wanted to change the room back into a bedroom we would be able to just remove the shelving and reinstall the doors. Ken agreed with that idea. I came home from work today with quite a bad head cold. We held Family Home Evening and then I went to bed.
Tuesday, February 12, 1974
After getting home from work I just stayed home and relaxed. Mom Porter, Mae, Sandy and I played a game of Rook before going to bed.
Wednesday, February 13, 1974
I read the book “Jonathan Livingston Sea Gull” today. It was very interesting concept of the purpose of life. Mom and Dad Jensen came over this evening so we played a game of Rummy. Scott seems to think he should stay awake from 9PM until mid-night. As a result I go to bed without Mae. I don’t think I like doing that!
Thursday, February 14, 1974
This evening I took Mae out to dinner. We then went to the grocery store and buying a few things and cashing my pay check. When we came out of the store there was a carnival in the parking lot. We decided to just walk thru the carnival just to see the lights. We got suckered into a dart game and ended up losing about $14. For our budget that was quite a lot of money.  We decided to keep that Donkey on our bed as a reminder of how easy it is become “Jack Ass” when you fall for one of Satan’s traps. We kept it there for several years. I sure love Mae!
Friday, February 15, 1974
I finished work a little early today. Mae was quite tired this evening, so I stayed up with the baby and let her go to bed. Mom Porter and I played a game of Rummy and Mom beat me.
Saturday, February 16, 1974
Mom Porter, Sandy, Mae and Tammy went to the Swap Meet, so I stayed home and tended the children. That was a much better option for me that attending a Swap Meet. They returned at 12:30PM. I spent the rest of the day working around the yard. I Sure love Mae!
Sunday, February 17, 1974
I attended morning meetings and then stayed home and tended David this afternoon. Mae, the older children and Mom Porter attended Sacrament meeting. Mom and Dad Jensen came over for dinner with us. Dad and I had a nice visit, while the women cleaned up the dinner dishes. Dad Jensen and I seem to really relate with each other when we have the opportunity to visit. This evening all of us watched the 1st half of the movie, “The Ten Commandments” on TV. I then went to a practice with three other brothers from our Ward. Our Stake is sponsoring a Male Quartet contest. Although I am quite nerves about this it is quite enjoyable being with these Brothers. I have never sung in a quartet before but they would like me to sing Barton. The practice went quite well.
Monday, February 18, 1974
I did not record anything about work today but I am going to continue with the changes that Ken Osburn had me to make to one of the homes I remodeled. Refer to February 11, 1974. The home was remolded as to the changes that the purchasing couple had wanted. After it was completed I went back to look at the home. I personally felt horrified with the outcome. A short time after the finishing the home, Ken came to me and told me I needed to completely redo the home. Just before finalizing the sale the couple dissolved their marriage with a divorce! Ken said the there was no way they could resale the home as it now stood. Oh well, I did that job by the hour when I remodeled it and I would again redo it by the hour. There was no school today in honor of Presidents Day and so the children had the day off. This evening after dinner and the dishes were cleaned up we held a nice Family Home Evening. Everyone was prepared with their part and it went very well. As a family we watched the 2nd half of “The Ten Commandments” as a conclusion of our Family Home evening .
Tuesday, February 19, 1984
After dinner this evening we drove out to Fort McDowell to show Mom Porter the building we put up there. I played with the children on the floor before putting them to bed. I then went to a quartet practice. When I got home from that; Mae, Mom Porter and I played a game of Rummy
Wednesday, February 20, 1974
After work I picked up parts to tune up our car. I noted in my Diary that I made a deal with Ken Osburn to have some of the blond carpeting that was removed from the home, reinstalled into our master bathroom. I worked on the Tape Library programs for Ron Shumway. Ron was still working for Air Research, came to me and asked if I could do some programming on the Tape Library that I had left undone when I quite Air Research. Data Processing Management had decided that they now needed MY Tape Library system to be completed. They turned it over to Ron, hoping that with me being Ron’s friend, I would give him some help. I agreed and I worked on that system this evening. If I remember correctly I did it just as a friend without any compensation.
Thursday, February 21, 1974
I took some time off work today, as both Mae’s and my Arizona driver’s license are expiring. I came home and picked up Mae and we went to the Arizona Drivers office. When we took the test, Mae got all the questions on her test right, but I missed one of them. Mae had taken David into the Doctor Swanstrom today. Mom Porter went with Mae and David. David is doing much better but still has a long ways to go. This afternoon Mom and Dad Jensen brought us a dog. I don’t remember the dog or what happened to it.
Friday, February 22, 1974
After I go home from work, and cleaned up, Larry and Tammy came over and picked Mae and I up. Larry was driving his model A Ford, which he has been rebuilding for several months. We went out for a hamburger and then to a show. We took Scott with us, feeling that he is too young to leave with Sandy. The show wasn’t very good, plus Scott was very fussy and kept Mae out in the lobby most of the time. On the way home from the theater the lights quite working on the car. Larry tried to find the problem but finally gave up and just drove without any lights. All in all we still had a good time.
Saturday, February 23, 1974
I worked 8 hours for Ken Osburn to pay for the carpeting he is selling us which also covered the padding and the installation. Mom and Dad Jensen came over this evening. We played Rummy. Mom Porter has gone over to stay with Aunt Allison and Uncle Van for a while, as she wants to get some treatments with Doctor Swanstrum. He is the Doctor that we are taking David to. We feel that he is really helping David.
Sunday, February 24, 1974
Shellie woke with a fever this morning and hasn’t felt well all day. We took Scott to Church with us today for the first time. Of course there was many friends that that was excited to see our new baby.
Monday, February 25, 1974
This morning the carpeting that I bought from Ken Osburn was installed in our bedroom and master bath. Just to explain about the carpeting, I have been finishing some homes for Osburn Construction Company. The one home, after completing the normal finishing, Ken came to me and said that the buyer wanted some changes. He of course paid me for my time. He had me make some very drastic changes. The one bedroom was changed to an office with a built in desk and a built in book case. Ken had originally told me to remove the closet and build the book case in its place. I had suggested that I just remove the by-fold doors and build the book case so that it would fit inside the closet. He had accepted that idea. The desk was built into an U-shape, made out of birch, with an decorative wall shelving made out of rough sawn 4” X 6” pine beams. I finished the changes, but before the painter came back to stain and finish the shelving and desk, the wall-paper hangers came in and hung wall-paper. They used the desk for a gluing table so when the stain was applied the stain would not take where the glue had been spilled. I had to come back and spent several hours sanding the desk. The only thing that I can say about the wall paper throughout the house is that it looked horrible, not in the hanging but in the customers picking. The carpeting was just as horrible. The front room, entrance way, hallway, master bedroom and master bathroom was I very light blond in color. When I saw the house I just gasped. Ken said that it was the customer’s choice. Well two weeks later Ken came to me and Said that he needed me to go back and remove the desk and remove the shelving so that it was back to the original finish. The customers had got a divorce and didn’t want the home now. He said that he couldn’t sell the home the way it was had what to completely restore and remove all the carpeting. I said that the carpeting in the bedroom would be ok if used in a master bedroom only. Ken made me a very good deal if I would take some of it. That is where we got the carpeting for our house.
Mae, Scott and Shellie all went into the Doctor today. Scott is doing well and now weighs 10 pounds. Shellie has Strep Throat so is on medication. This evening we held Family Home Evening. After that I helped Deloy Porter move some furniture. Mae is sure a wonderful wife and is so good to me.
Tuesday, February 26, 1974
I was very tired when I came home for work. I played with the children for a while before we ate dinner. I then took a shower and laid down for a little while. Wayne Freeman came to our place Home Teaching this evening. I then helped Mae bath the children and put them to bed.
Wednesday, February 27, 1974
When I came home from work Mae had made a lovely dinner. Mon and Dad Jensen came over as well as Mom Porter. Mae and Mom Porter had made a very nice chicken dinner. After dinner I played with the children while the dishes were done up. I then opened my Birthday presents. After the children went to bed the adults played games and visited.
Thursday, February 28, 1974
After I got home from work, Mae, Mom Porter and I went looking for bunk beds. We took Scott with us but Sandy tended the other children. We were not able to find anything that we were satisfied with or could afford. We just relaxed this evening. Mae and I took Mom Porter back to Uncle Van’s and then went over to Larry and Tammy’s for a little while. They are having some problems with Lorie at school.
Friday, March 1, 1974
This evening after work, I cut some of the doors off so they wouldn’t drag on the new carpet. Mae and Mom Porter took Scott over to the Doctors today. This evening I went over to a practice for the Lehi Day’s commeration. I then came home and worked on the car. Mom Porter and I went to the airport to pickup Pad Porter. His plane was 1 hour and 45 minutes late getting in.
Saturday, March 2, 1974
I got my hair cut first thing this morning. I then worked on the car. After lunch I made the girls some doll furniture and then Mae and I went out looking for bunk beds again. This evening we took the children to the park but Scott wouldn’t settle down so we came back home.
Sunday, March 3, 1974
We had meetings as normal. During our Fast and Testimony meeting I was privileged to give Scott Leon Browning a name and a blessing. Dad Porter, Dad Jensen, Larry Braithwaite, Bishop Ries, Delbert Oepie and Robert Van Beikum stood in the circle with me. It was interesting that we gave Scott the middle name of Leon. As a family we picked that name as we drove to the church. After meeting Dad Jensen said that that Leon was his middle name and his son’s first name. Then a member of our Ward came up and said that he must be the God Father as that was his first name. It was purely coincidental in the choosing of the name Leon. We held Family Home Evening this evening so that Dad Porter could be here with us. He will be flying back home tomorrow.
Monday, March 4, 1974
I only worked 4 hours today and was then out of work, so I came home. We took Dad porter to the airport so he could fly back home. His flight left at 2:15PM. Mom and Dad Jensen left, driving to California where they will stay with Roy and Linda for a few days before going on home to Idaho Falls. This afternoon Mae and I were able to find asset of bunk beds for the boys and got them set up. This evening I had another Quartet practice at 9 PM.
Tuesday, March 5, 1974
There was only enough worked to keep us busy for 5 hours today. At home I worked on a corner table for Mae. I had some material that has been left over from other jobs and have been thinking of what I could build with it. The other night I dreamed about this material and in my dream I designed this corner table. This evening I had another practice with the Quartet, to prepare for the Lehi Days program. Also I was with the Bishopric to hold oral evaluations.
Wednesday, March 6, 1974
I was able to work all day today. I also checked with the Genealogy Library about some work they want me to do for them. They want a price on hanging a 4’w x 8’h x 1 ¾”thick, solid core door hung in a 12 thick cinder block exterior wall that will face east. The door will have to be hung in the afternoon so that it can be painted the next morning as the Arizona summer sun will quickly bake the door and warp the wood. This evening I again went to the Quartet practice for the Lehi Days.
Thursday, March 7, 1974
I worked on the car this afternoon. This evening I finished the corner table I am building for Mae. With only a small variation it is exactly to the plans in my dream. This evening is the first Day of the Lehi Days program. Toni Aldridge, Guy Galispie, John Porter and I sang as a Quartet in a program this evening. We took 1st place in two groups. I was quite excited about that as I have never sung in public before.
Friday, March 8, 1974
Today I figured a price for the Genealogy Library. I went into Hugh Air Research where I did some programming on the Tape Library system. On the way home I stopped by the Library with the bid but they felt that it was too high. I don’t feel that I can go any cheaper with out just donating my time. With our financial circumstances right now I don’t feel good at doing that. I worked on our car this afternoon. This evening our Quartet again sang at the Lehi Days program and we again won. Mae, Sandy and I stayed for a dance held after the program. We had an enjoyable evening.
Saturday, March 9, 1974
I again spent time working on the car and it is running much better. We went up to the Lehi Days in the afternoon. This evening Mae, Mom Porter and I went to a Know Your Religion class on Marriage. Scott is having a lot of colic this evening.
Sunday, March 10, 1974
I was busy most of the day with Church meetings. Jim and Marion Fraizer and their family came over to visit for a while this evening. Before we went to bed I helped Sandy with her home work.
Monday, March 11, 1974
I didn’t work again today. Building has gone into quite a slump and I am wondering just how long we can last. I spent the morning cleaning up the patio. This afternoon Larry and I went for a bike ride with our motorcycles. This evening we joined the Braithwaite’s for Family Home Evening at the Pioneer Park. This evening Mae and I stayed up and watched a good show on TV. I sure love that girl.
Tuesday, March 12, 1974
No work again today. Larry, Melvin, Wayne and I went out riding our motorcycles in the hills. We had a lot of fun.
Wednesday, March 13, 1974
No work again today. I tended the children while Mae, Mom and Sandy went to the Swap and Shop.
Thursday, March 14, 1974
I prefer taped a room today. This is a job a couple of other men were doing but he asked me if I would tape it for them. I won’t make much money on it but it is better than nothing. I finished working on some programs for Air Research and got them to Ron Shumway. Joe and Reggy Stuffer came down to Arizona for a visit and stopped by to say hi. We went to the Temple Visitor Center with them. I was able to get our income taxes sent off today.
Friday, March 15, 1974
I worked 4 hours this morning for Larry and then put a 2nd coat of mud on the room I am prefer tapping. In the afternoon we took all our family out in the desert with Larry and Tammy and their family. We cooked dinner out there. After dinner Mom, Mae and Scott came back home but the rest of us stayed out over night.
Saturday, March 16, 1974
I got up early and went out fishing for a little while. I did catch I fish before returning. After breakfast and cleaning up the camp site we came home, getting there about 11.30AM. mae and I took Mom Porter to the airport and she flew home on the 2:30PM flight to Salt Lake. Dad Porter will be there when she arrives. This evening Mae and I attended a Relief Society party. We left early and came home because Scott wasn’t feeling very well.
Sunday, March 17, 1974
I had meetings and choir practice, so that took most of my day. Mae had a Stake meeting to attend this evening. I got a call to assist Steve Smith administer to Jim Fraizer this evening. I had to have Sandy stay with the rest of the children while I was gone. Scott had colic quite bad most of the day today.
Monday, March 18, 1974
I was able to work all day. After finishing work I went over to the side job and finished the tapping the room. After dinner we held a nice Family Home Evening. Mae and I got to bed about 10PM.
Tuesday, March 19, 1974
It rained off and on all day but I was still able to work. I went up to the Bishops Store House this evening and helped with a canning assignment to can syrup. Scott hasn’t felt very well all day. Even though Scott isn’t feeling very well Mae said the he started cuing for the first time.
Wednesday, March 20, 1974
Scott didn’t sleep very well last night. It rained all night and didn’t let up until after noon today. I was still able to work today. Brother Doug Caldwell and I went Home Teaching this evening. Mae sure is a wonderful wife and mother.
Thursday, March 21, 1974
Scott was up a lot last night. Shellie also has a bad cough today. This evening we went over to Larry and Tammy’s for dinner. Sister Hansen, from the Mound Fort Ward, is down from Utah, I believe she is staying with her Sister who lives here in Mesa. We took her with us to visit the Braithwaite’s. We had a wonderful evening.
Friday, March 22, 1974
I took off work early to go to Phoenix where I had planned on getting some panic hardware to repair some doors at a chapel. However when I got there they didn’t have any in stock. I had taken Mae and the children with me. We did stop and get my watch repaired. I also checked on a small job that John Brown wants me to do for him. We stopped and got hamburgers for dinner.
Saturday, March 23, 1974
I did the job for John Brown this morning and made $60.00 for doing it. When I got home I moved the lawn. Sandy tended kids today and she made $6.50 for her time. I think this is the first time she has been paid for babysitting. Shellie is staying over at Holly’s this evening. Mike has been running a fever most of the day.
Sunday, March 24, 1974
I was in meetings most of the day today. Mike still isn’t feeling very well today. Aunt Allison came over to visit for a while. This evening I called Irven and Sandy but Irven wasn’t home. I there for visited with Sandy for a little while. I received a phone call from our High Councilmen, asking me to meet with our Stake President at his office at 6pm Thursday. At 11pm Irven called me back and we just visited for a while.
Monday, March 25, 1974
Mike is feeling much better today. When I got home from work I mowed the lawn. We had a very nice Family Home Evening tonight. After that we set up a bad mitten net and I played with the children.
Tuesday, March 26, 1974
With the appointment to meet with our Stake President this evening and desiring to be closer to The Lord, so I fasted today. President Coleman of the Stake Presidency interviewed me and made a call for me to serve as a Stake Missionary. Of course I accepted the calling. When I got home Mae and I went for a walk and talked over the calling. Mae as always was very supportive.
Wednesday, March 27, 1974
I worked a little later before going home this afternoon. When I got home I got the crib out and did a little repair on it. Scott is now getting too big for the bassinet so we put him into the crib. We relaxed and watched some T.V. and I even got Mae to relax with us.
Thursday, March 28, 1974
Mae had to stay late after Primary for an activity she was in charge of. I there for went straight from work to the Church house where I picked up Scott, taking him home to tend. After dinner this evening I played with the children until their bed time. After the little ones went to bed, Sandi and I played a game of Rummy.
Friday, March 29, 1974
Work went well today. I worked an extra hour to pay for some material. After dinner this evening, I took the children with me to Phoenix where I bought the door hardware that I had gone to get last Friday but they were out of. We then came back home and got Mae. From there we went up town where we bought everyone ice cream for a treat.
Saturday, March 30, 1974
I worked 9 hours at the Mesa Genealogy Library installing a door on the east side of the building. This is the job that I had bid on earlier but they felt that my bid was too high. I think they found out that they couldn’t get any one else that would do it for less than I had quoted them. The door was 4’ wide X 8’ high X 1 ¾” thick. The frame was made of 2” X 12” and together the door and frame weighed about 180 lb. It was really quite a lot of work for me to install by myself. I had told the Director of the Center that he needed to have a painter lined up to paint the door before the sun came up the next day, as if that Arizona Sun would shine on that door without it being painted, it would warp the veneer finish of the door. He assured me that he would. When I got home this afternoon we took our family and went over to the Fraizer’s. We visited with them for a few minutes but also got some vegetables from their garden. This evening Mae and I attended the High Priest social. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Sunday, March 31, 1974
I was in meetings most of the day. Our Stake President had coordinated my calling as a Stake Missionary with Bishop Reese and so during our Sacrament meeting I was released as Executive Secretary. Jim Fraizer was sustained as Executive Secretary. Ron Shumway called me this afternoon and asked if I could come over to his place later this evening. After getting the children to bed this evening, Mae and I went over to Ron and Audrey. I believe that Larry had informed me that Ron had resigned from Hugh Aircraft to accept a job as the manager of the Data Processing Department for Tanner Brothers Construction Company, is the largest highway construction company in Arizona. When we got to Ron’s he told me that he might have an opening in the Data Processing department at if I would be interested. Of course I told Ron that I was very interested.
Monday, April 01, 1974
After getting off work I drove to Phoenix where I purchased some bricks. When I got home I built some forms so that I could pour a concrete slab on the North side of the house. When I finished that job, we took our family and went up to Pioneer Park where we ate dinner and enjoyed just being together for our Family Home Evening.
Tuesday, April 02, 1974
Ron called me this morning and asked if I would come over to the Tanner Brothers Construction Company office for an official interview? I told Ron that today would be a good day to do that as I had already taken the day so that I could finish a job for the Genealogy Library. When I was finished with that I would be over. When I got to the Library the Supervisor told me that he got quite a scare when the painter came Saturday evening to paint the door I had installed. He said that when the painter looked at the job he said “Who in Hell hung that door?” He told the painter, “Ken Browning, why?” to witch his painter replied “I haven’t seen anyone hang a door that firm for a long time. He didn’t want that door to ever come out, did he?” I was pleased with that comment. I finished installing the door hardware and was paid for the job. I came home and got Mae. We drove over to Phoenix where I had an interview with Tanner Brothers Construction Company for a programmers position in their Data Processing Department. This evening I attended Home Teaching Oral Evaluation with the Bishopric and the Priesthood Leaders.
Wednesday, April 03, 1974
I was tired when I got home from work so I lay down and took a nap. If my memory is correct, Larry had received a bid to do some remodeling on a Church house. The addition had been made with the foundation added, the walls laid with Brick and a exterior doorway installed and the roofing had been completed. My main assignment was pouring a concrete floor inside the room, forming and pouring some exterior sidewalks. The materials that I ordered for the church didn’t arrive until 6pm so I just put it inside where it would be safe and went home. This evening the Stake Mission Presidency came to our home and brought me my official Mission Call. We went to bed early this evening.
Thursday, April 04, 1974
Today we worked at the church house. We set the forms and had everything about ready to pour the cement. After work I went over to Larry’s and we visited. Work is slowing down so we talked about me quitting employment with him. Larry is still encouraging me to get my own contractor’s license. Mae was very tired this evening as she had been up a lot with the baby (That would have been Scott). We therefore went to bed early.
Friday, April 05, 1974
I had no entry concerning what I worked at today. This evening Mae and I went out to eat at the Golden Coin Restaurant. After eating we went for a ride. The Orange Blossoms are just coming out in full bloom and the aroma as we drive out through the orchard areas is incredible. It also give us a good time to talk about the problems we are facing. We are struggling financially and are very concerned about the employment future. Sandy tended the kids for us. Mae is sure a wonderful wife and sweetheart.
Saturday, April 06, 1974
I planted a Navel Orange and a Ruby Red Grapefruit tree this morning. The boys also helped me plant the trees. Mae took Sandy, Shellie and Scott shopping while the boys and I worked in the yard. After cleaning the yard and mowing the lawns we lessoned to General Conference on the radio. We only get one session of conference broadcast on TV here in Arizona and that will be the Sunday Morning session. This evening I went to the Stake Center and watched the Priesthood session of conference on closed circuit Satellite TV received only at the Stake Centers. When I returned home we watched a couple of shows on TV.
Sunday, April 07, 1974
We were able to sleep in this morning because of it being General Conference. We are only able to get the morning session of General Conference broadcast on TV here in Arizona. This afternoon we attended our Wards Sacrament meeting held this morning and then when we got home we were able to lesson to the afternoon session on the radio.
Monday, April 08, 1974
I helped pour 30 yards of concrete this morning. When we finished I was sure tired. This evening we had a very nice Family Home evening.
Tuesday, April 09, 1974
After getting home from work and having dinner we left Sandy to tend Mike and Shellie while Mae, David, Scott and I drove to Phoenix, so I could check out some problems that my John Brown who was my supervisor while I was at Air Research, is having at his home. We stopped on the way home for an ice cream cone.
Wednesday, April 10, 1974
After work I went up to the church house and built a partition wall in the library. Sandy didn’t feel well today and so stayed home from school. Mae is also very tired this evening so went to bed early. I stayed up to figure bills. We are still about one full pay check behind.
Thursday, April 11, 1974
I find that I am constantly in need of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s help in order for me to with stand the discouragement of life and the temptations of the Advisory. This evening I bid on a couple of jobs. I then went to my missionary training class. I sure have a wonderful wife and sweetheart. With the Lords help and Mae’s support I ought to be able to stand the trials that come my way.
Friday, April 12, 1974
As we finished a job at Sun Lakes, the owner gave both Chuck and I each a $25.00 bonus check as he was very pleased with the work we did for him. When I got home I surprised Mae by taking her shopping for a new Easter dress. After returning home we colored Easter Eggs with the children. Then as a family we watched the show “Ben Hurr” on TV.
Saturday, April 13, 1974
We celebrated Easter activities today. We started with an Easter egg hunt and breakfast. We then went to the Phoenix Zoo where we enjoyed the animal exhibited and a picnic lunch. We were all tired as we returned home this afternoon but had had a good time. After putting the children down to bed, Mae and I stayed up and just talked for a while. I sure love and appreciate that special girl of mine.
Sunday, April 14, 1974
Elder Burkland and I met at 8AM to have companion study time as we studied the missionary lessons. As a family we attended our Stake Conference from 10AM to noon. We then went over to Larry and Tammy’s for dinner. Following dinner we attended their Ward’s Sacrament meeting. This evening I had a Missionary Training meeting from 7PM to 9PM. I had taken Mae and the children home prior to that meeting and when got home, Mae had all the children in bed.
Monday, April 15, 1974
Mae has been very busy today and was quite tired when I got home from work. Sandi, Shellie and I did up the dinner dishes for Mae. We had our F.H.E. before putting the children to bed and soon went there ourselves.
Tuesday, April 16, 1974
When I got home from work we took all our family to Larry and Tammy’s where we all went swimming. It is still a little early in the season for swimming but we had fun anyway, despite the chilly water. We went home for dinner and then I took a short nap. Joe and Doug Caldwell came over for a short visit. I wrote our Family letter this evening and then went to bed. Mae stayed up to study.
Wednesday, April 17, 1974
This morning I studied my missionary lessons before going to work. I was tired when I got home from work, so I took a nap. This evening Brother Burkland and I studied together. When I got home Mae and I relaxed and watched a show on TV.
Thursday, April 18, 1974
I got up at 4AM and studied the missionary lessons before starting the day. Mae was busy most of the day with Primary work. Sandy isn’t feeling very well this evening. I attended a Missionary Conference this evening.
At that conference Oscar McConkie, a younger brother to Bruce R. McConkie, was the visiting authority and main speaker. Prior to him speaking, he was introduced by our Stake President. Our stake president said: “You might recognize that Oscar McConkie is a brother to Bruce R. McConkie, who is a member of the quorum of the 12 apostles. In the ward which Oscar McConkie & his family lived, he had been called to serve as Elders Quorum President. The ward was then divided and his first counselor was called to be bishop of the one ward and his second counselor was called to be bishop of the second ward and Oscar McConkie was retained as President of the Elder’s Quorum. Later, the ward was divided again and again both of his counselors were called to serve as bishops and again Oscar McConkie was retained as the Elder’s Quorum President. A short time later, his stake president called him in for a personal interview at which time the stake president thoroughly interviewed him as to his personal worthiness. As the interview concluded, the stake president opened his drawer and pulled out a letter signed by the president of the quorum of the twelve at which he had been directed that under no circumstances should Oscar McConkie be advanced to be a high priest. A short time later, Oscar McConkie was called to the First Quorum of the Seventies. Had he been ordained a high priest, he could have never been called to this position. And so, at this time, Oscar McConkie was in the presidency of the first quorum of the seventies.
At the conclusion of the introduction our Stake President asked Oscar McConkie, if he felt that it would be appropriate, that he might relate to us the story of his father.
I will attempt to retell that story, to the best of my ability, as I remember after more than 38 years. Therefore, this story, without deeper research, can only be taken for just that - a story.
Father McConkie, as referred to by Oscar, had been called to serve as a bishop while quite a young man with a young family. While serving as Bishop for over 30 years, Mother McConkie passed away. All of their children were by this time married and raising families of their own. Quite regularly Father McConkie would still call the family together for a Family Home Evening, to which all would respond. On one occasion, as the family gathered, father McConkie reminded the family that he had served for over 30 years in his calling and with the passing of his sweet wife, he had been released as Bishop. He told them that he was now very lonely as he missed this dear companion and felt that he had completed his calling here on earth. He, therefore, asked the family to join him in prayers asking that Heavenly Father might release him from this earth and join his sweetheart on the other side. Oscar said that as a family they were a little reluctant but said there was no disagreeing with Father McConkie, and so they all joined in their prayers for this desire. A couple of weeks later, Father McConkie, again called for a Family Home Evening, at which time he recalled his previous request. He said that he had a dream and was visited by a massager that told him that he was bothering the Father with his request to pass on. He was told that in the first place, he had not fulfilled the assignment he had been given to fulfill while here on earth. The messenger continued telling him that he should have never have been called as Bishop, except the person who was to be called as bishop was not living worthy of the calling and so it became necessary to give the calling to him. The messenger then told him to look, and as he looked, he saw a large group of spirits that were waiting for their Temple work to be done for them. The messenger then said, “This was your assignment. Now quit pestering The Father and do what you were assigned to do.” So Father McConkie told his family to discontinue praying for him to go home. In a couple of weeks, Father McConkie again called his family back together. He explained that he had spent every day at the Genealogy Library but did not know what to do. Father McConkie therefore asked his family to pray for help to be given to him that he could accomplish his assignment. After some time had passed, Father McConkie again called his family to meet together. He said that he just wanted to report as to what progress he was making with his assignment. He reported that the following week, after he had asked for their help, that as he watched others searching thru the micro-film on the readers, he decided to give it a try and as he reeled through a film he noticed that there was a little green light that moved as he advanced the film. He watched it until it stopped.. As he had passed the light, he paused and then reversed the film, and would go until he again found the green light moving along with the names. Reversing again the light would move with the film and then suddenly stop again. Reversing, he again moved until he found the light. This time he looked closely at the record where the light had stopped; and he realized that that record was a record on one of his family’s ancestors. He would then write all the information down and then again start advancing the film and the light would also advance. Each time the green light stopped, he again repeated the process. He told his family that following this process, by the end of the day he had found several of these records of those that were in the group he had been shown. Following this procedure each day he had been able to turn in the records for several hundred names for the Temple work to be done. Oscar McConkie then told us that Father McConkie continued this routine for quite a long period of time before he again called the family for another meeting. Father McConkie then reported that he had received another visit from the same messenger. This time the messenger told him that he had completed the work that he had been assigned and that if he would like to have his original request that it would be ok and his work would be complete. Before making that decision he was to look; as he did he saw another group much more numerous than the first. The messenger then told him to look and he saw another man and was told that this group was his assignment. The messenger said to him that he could see that this person would not live long enough to complete his assignment. The messenger told Father McConkie that should he want to, he could help him with his assignment. Oscar McConkie concluded the story by telling us that Father McConkie was still going to the library each day when it was open he still continues to following the little green light..
Friday, April 19, 1974
This evening Mae and I went out to dinner with Jim and Maryon Fraizer. We sure enjoy being with those two.
Saturday, April 20, 1974
I got some studying done on my Missionary work, but not as much as I should have. I also took time to mow the lawns. Mae and I went shopping this afternoon. I really enjoy doing that as it lets me be with my sweetheart. This evening we also went for a short walk.
Sunday, April 21, 1974
This morning I woke at 4AM and studied on the missionary lessons. At 7:30AM I met with Brother Burkland for companionship study. I was back to the chapel by 8:30AM for Priesthood meeting and at 10AM I went to a Missionary Training class at the Stake Center. I returned to the Chapel in time to be with my family for Sacrament meeting, when we got home Mae had a very nice dinner waiting. This evening Mom and Dad Jensen came over to visit. I am sure that after the children went to bed, Mom, Dad, Mae and I set at the kitchen table and played Rook, had hot Postum and Ginger Snap cookies. That was a standard when Mom and Dad came over.
Monday, April 22, 1974
I woke early so I would have some study time before going to work. Our Income Tax Refund check came in the mail today. That check will sure help our budget. This evening when I returned home we had some trouble as a family, getting the proper Spirit that we would like in our home. After we finally recognized that, we were able to work together for a better feeling. With that new feeling we were able to enjoy a wonderful Family Home Evening.
Tuesday, April 23, 1974
After getting home from work, I welded a shovel for Doug Caldwell. After we had dinner this evening I went over to see Mom as Mae told me that she was sick. When I got there she was quite sick, so Dad Jensen and I Administered to her and gave her a Priesthood Blessing.
Wednesday, April 24, 1974
About 2PM I had to run home to get some tools. When I went back to work, I took Mike with me. He stayed by me helping with whatever I could find that he could do for me. He seemed to enjoy the experience. After dinner this evening I took all the family for a treat at Dunk-N-Donuts. Mae then went to a night Relief Society program. I had a study period with Brother Richard Burkland. Sandy took care of the children for us.
Thursday, April 25, 1974
When I got home from work, Mae and the children were at Primary. After dinner I went to a missionary study class. When I got home Mae was cleaning our carport, so I pitched in and helped her. We got to bed at 10:30PM very tired.
Friday, April 26, 1974
Mae took the children to a school carnival this afternoon. This evening Mae, Larry, Tammy and I went to a movie.
Saturday, April 27, 1974
This morning I helped pickup donated items for an auction our Ward is going to have for a fund raiser. When I got back home I mowed the lawn. After lunch I took a short nap. Larry came by and loaded my Honda motorcycle on with his bikes. They went out to the desert where we later joined them. We first had to put up some strawberries that Mae had bought. They were getting to ripe to wait longer.
Sunday, April 28, 1974 Mike’s Birthday
I got up early to study the missionary lessons and at 7:30 joined with Brother Burland for companionship study. I attended our Ward Priesthood meeting and then went to the Stake Missionary training. Mae took the children to Sunday school. When we all got home we had Mike open his Birthday presents and then enjoyed a wonderful dinner that Mae prepared. The Primary put on the program for Sacrament meeting and that went very well.
Monday, April 29, 1974
We had a wonderful Family Home Evening after dinner this evening. The Spirit was especially enjoyable this evening. It seems like the last few weeks we have had trouble getting the proper spirit to be with us.
Tuesday, April 30, 1974
I arose early this morning to get some study time in before going to work. When I got home from work I also went to studding but I just don’t feel that I am getting anywhere with the memorization of the missionary lessons. I played with the kids for a while after dinner. Our Home Teachers also came this evening. All of our family feels very good with the Home Teachers that are assigned to us.
Wednesday, May 1, 1974
At work, while cutting with a circular saw I flipped a piece of sawdust into my eye. I tried several things to get it out but was unsuccessful. This evening I went into the doctor. He had to deaden the reflex and then remove a sliver from the eyeball. He asked me if I was wearing safety glasses.  Brother Burkland and I met together and spent an hour studding our mission discussions. Mae took all the children to the Ward Road Shows, this evening.
Thursday, May 2, 1974
Mae and the children were at primary when I got home from work. I studied more on the missionary discussions. This evening I attended the Stake Missionary Training class. My eye is still very uncomfortable.
Friday, May 3, 1974
I made a couple of errors at work today, which set up back. This afternoon I went back to the Doctor’s as my eye is still bothering me. He found more sawdust in the eye. Mae and I went over to Dr. Swanstrum,s this afternoon. This evening we just stayed home and relaxed. We went to bed early.
Saturday, May 4, 1974
I studied different times during the day on my missionary lessons. I also mowed the lawns and got a haircut. At 3PM we went over to Mom and Dad’s for dinner. We stayed until 7PM and then came home and got the children to bed. We soon went to bed also.
Sunday, May 5, 1974
I got up early and studied on the missionary lessons. We had breakfast and then I went to Missionary study group and other missionary meetings. The rest of the day was spent in studding. This evening Brother Burkland and I gave the first missionary lesson to Terry Elmer. This meeting was set up by our Stake Missionary leader. We didn’t know until later that Terry was a less active member of the church. As we gave the lesson, we felt the Spirit of the Lord with us, I just hope Sister Elmer also felt that Spirit.
Monday, May 6, 1974
I am working on a project in Arizona City. We are starting work at 6AM, so in order to be there at that time we have to leave Mesa at 4:40AM. It is also 4:30PM before we get back home. That schedule is really cutting into my study time as well as family time. Although I was tired when I get home, we still had a nice Family Home Evening. Mae had made some wonderful apple pies for our refreshments.
Tuesday, May 7, 1974
I worked at Arizona City again today and was very tired when I got home. After dinner I studied until bed time. Mae has sure been busy today and by bed time she also looks very tired.
Wednesday, May 8, 1974
Mom and Dad Jensen were here when I got home. They are trying to decide if they should sell their home and then buy something here. Our instability with my job is sure giving them some turmoil in their decision. We had planned on taking our neighbors, the Premick’s, to a Open House at our church. But they called to tell us that Hal had to work late this evening, so they would not be able to go with us. I am not sure that if this is an excuse or not.
Thursday, May 9, 1974
This evening I attended Missionary Training. President Shaw told us that Terry Elmer was an inactive member of the Church. At first I felt disappointed but then I realized that she is just as important to our Heavenly Father as any of his other children. I am really thankful that I may have had just a little part in her life. I may never know in this life, but I can hope that our lesson may have an eternal benefit for her.
Friday, May 10, 1974
I was late getting home from work. Mae has been on the run all day, getting things ready for the Primary Mom and Miss Party. Mae didn’t stop until we went to bed at 11:30PM, very tired!
Saturday, May 11, 1974
Mae was busy from 7AM until 2:30PM preparing for the Mom and Miss program. I spent most of the day building booths for the Ward Flee Market. Charles Shumway came over to help me. We were too tired to go out this evening.
Sunday, May 12, 1974
Today is Mother’s Day, so we held our missionary meeting at 6AM, so that we might have more time with our wife’s. I attended Sunday School with Mae and the children. We had Mom and Dad Jensen over for dinner, also we had the full time Missionaries, Elder Hill and Elder Ogden here for dinner. It has been a wonderful day. I sure love my wonderful Wife and the Mother of my five special children.
Monday, May 13, 1974
Larry and Tammy invited us over to their place for the evening for Family Home Evening with their family. Everyone went in swimming for a while. We then had grilled dinner, followed by a lesson. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Tuesday, May 14, 1974
Today Larry had all his lead men meet him at his house and told us that he just didn’t have the work load to keep us going and asked that we each take a dollar per hour cut in wages. He let all the rest of the crews go, but will still try to keep the lead men working on what work he can find. After work I went home and got Mae. She went with me to Scottsdale for me to see Dr. Swanstrum. As we drove it gave us time to talk about the future. Things look a little dim right now. When we got home, we had dinner. I then laid down for a couple of hours and slept. I got up for an hour and then went back to bed. Mae had some Ladies over this evening.
Wednesday, May 15, 1974
After work I laid down for a few minutes. Mom and Dad Jensen came by for a few minutes just to visit. After we ate dinner I went over to Larry Packer home to look at some remodeling that he wants done. When I got back home, Mae helped me study my missionary lessons for a few minutes. After getting the children down, Mae and I started to bed. We talked until quite late about our work and financial situation.
Thursday, May 16, 1974
This evening I got a call from John Howard at Commercial Security Bank in Ogden. He made me a job offer to come back to work for them. We talked for some time. I asked what the position would be that they wanted me to fill. He told me that it would be the Supervisor of the 3rd shift. I told him that I really wasn’t very interested in working mid-night shift. He told me that they only wanted me there until I could train someone to fill that position and then I would go into the programming staff. He said that something had come up and they were now in immediate need of someone that know the work and could step right into that spot with very little training. He expected that I would only be on that shift for a year or two at the longest. We talked about the housing market, which right now is not good in Arizona. To that he assured me that if I would put our house on the market and made the move in two weeks, then if had problems selling the house, the bank would either help me out with payments or would take over the house and they would sell it. I asked about the wage and when he told me what they were offering, I told him that I couldn’t accept that low of wage. He said that the cost of living was higher in Arizona than in Utah, to which I told him that for our family it would not be that much cheaper. He raised the offering amount some. I asked about moving expenses, to which he asked me to get three bids and send them to him. The Bank would pay the lowest bid. I asked about the time frame that they wanted me to be there and he said that he know that I would at least require two weeks and that would be ok. I ended the conversation by telling him that I would like the weekend to make my decision. I have very mixed feeling about this decision. I would like to move back to Utah, yet I would like to finish this Mission Call. My main concern is that we do the will of our Father in Heaven.
Friday, May 17, 1974
I started at 8am this morning getting booths set up for the Ward’s Auction and Flee Market. Those that were to be in charge of the Fry Bread canceled out. With Mae’s help we went ahead with the Fry Bread booth, which turned out very successful, thanks to Mae. By the time we finished and got everything cleaned up for the night, it was 9:30PM when I got home. I was very tired.
Saturday, May 18, 1974
I went back up to the Flee Market at 9AM and worked until 4:30PM before we had everything cleaned up and put away. Although it was a lot of work, overall I think that it was a successful project in raising funds for the Ward Budget. After going home I took a nap. Jim and Marrion Fraizer and Mae and I went out to eat this evening.
Sunday, May 19, 1974
I started a special Fast this morning, trying to get inspiration as to our decision about moving back to Utah. I visited with the Stake Mission President who said that he would support our decision, but hated to have me leave. Then the First Councilor in the Stake Mission Presidency visited with me. He felt that I had been called to serve this mission and he felt that it would be a mistake to leave. I made an appointment and visited with Bishop Reese. At that visit, he strongly felt that we should accept the job offer and make the move back to Utah. When we went to bed we still felt uncertain as to what we should do.
Monday, May 20, 1974
I stayed home from work this morning. By the time I called John Howard, we decided to accept the job offer. This means we will be in Ogden by the 30th of June. This afternoon I mowed the lawn before we went to Mom and Dad Jensen’s for dinner and Family Home Evening. Before we left, Dad Jenson told me that he felt that we were making the right decision. When we went to bed, I still had an uneasy feeling as to whether or not we are right. I sure hope we are doing what the Lord would have us do.
As I rewrite this entry almost 39 years later, I still wonder about that decision. Things didn’t work out like we had hoped. We lost our home in Arizona because it didn’t sell and the Bank only helped us with two house payments to offset our loss. I found out after two years that there were never plans to move me off the mid-night shift. John Howard and I parted with very bitter feelings towards each other. It took me a long time before I could even hear a commercial on the radio about the bank that I didn’t get a sick feeling. In talking with Dad Jensen about forgiveness, he asked me if I felt that if I were to meet John on the street, if I thought I could at least shake his hand and be friendly, to which I said I thought I could. I have never had that opportunity but I still think I could. I can say this much, it sure made some major changes in our life.
Tuesday, May 21, 1974
After getting home from work, I went over to visit with Doug Caldwell about selling our home. He feels that we should be able to sell it for $30,000. I know that the housing market is really down in Arizona at this time. I repaired my saw this evening. Later Mae and I went out with Steve and Darlene Smith to Ferrill’s Ice Cream and then we played miniature golf. We had a good time.
Wednesday, May 22, 1974
I called and had three moving companies come out and give us a bid to move our belongings to Utah. The lowest bid was for $1,395.00. After considering the bids, I think I can make pretty good money if I rent a U-Haul truck and move ourself. I decided to call the Bank and see if they will pay me to move at the lowest bid. I sure do love Mae and appreciate all she does for me.
Thursday, May 23, 1974
I sold my van today. I sure would like to have been able to keep it, but we need the money. I tended Scott while Mae and the other children went to Primary. John called me and said that the Bank would pay me $1,400.00 for moving expences.
Friday, May 24, 1974
I started work at 5:30AM and worked until 8:30AM finishing up a job for Larry. I came home and changed and went to Dr. Swanstrum for a treatment. This afternoon I started finding boxes for packing. I also bought me a pair of Justin Cow Boy boots for $52.00. This evening we invited Lois and DeLoy Porter, Rick and Debbie Berkland, Jim and Marrion Fraizer, and Lonnie and Margie Owens over to our home. We sure had an enjoyable evening. We are going to miss these friends.
Saturday, May 25, 1974
Jim Fraizer came over this morning to help me pack. I offered Jim our house if he would just take over the payments. He and Marion gave it some thought but later decided that they shouldn’t do it. Mae took the children to a carnival this afternoon. This evening we let Sandy invite some of her friends over for a Taffy Pull.
Sunday, May 26, 1974
We attended our Wards meeting today as normal. We had expected Jim and Marrion to come over for the evening to visit but instead of them showing up, Marrion Fraizer, Lois Porter and Helen Freeman had planned a surprise Open House for us. There were many from the Ward that came. It was sure a great evening.
Monday, May 27, 1974
We spent most of the day packing. Mae and I went down to a furniture store and bought a new table and chair set. This evening we met the Braithwaite’s at the Pioneer Park for Family Home Evening. We finished the evening by going to Farrell’s for ice cream.
Tuesday, May 28, 1974
I rented a moving truck just before 7AM. We spent most of the day packing our belongings into the truck. We did have several interruptions of friends and neighbors wishing us well. It was after 11PM when we finished and got to bed.
Wednesday, May 29, 1974
I was up and started packing at 5:30AM. Jim Fraizer came over and helped all day. We finished loading the moving van at 2:30PM. Mae had her hair done and when she came back both she and I went over to Dr. Swanstrum’s. He asked me what my problem was. I told him that I really wasn’t hurting anywhere but I had been used to getting a treatment at least monthly and now with moving I just wanted him to check my back. He did and after going over my back he said, “Well it looks like you just wasted $20.00.” At 6PM we went to the Stake President’s office and got our Temple Recommends signed. We had been invited to eat with Tonnie Aldridge this evening. After a very nice dinner and a nice visit we said our goodbyes to them. Larry and Tammy invited us to sleep the night with them.
Thursday, May 30, 1974
Although we got up at 5:30AM, by the time we ate, took some pictures and said our goodbyes it was 7:30 before we got away. I don’t remember the details but the entry indicates that we ran out of gas in the moving van just before we got to Flagstaff, Arizona. North of Flagstaff, as we went through the intersection to Tuba City, I saw two Missionaries get out of the back of a pickup and wave to the driver. It was too late for me to stop the van but I thought that Mae might see them and stop. When she didn’t I pulled over and stopped and of course Mae stopped behind me. I told her that there were two Missionaries trying to catch a ride, and she should go back for them. She wasn’t sure so I had her stay with the truck and Mike and David who were ridding with me and I drove back and offered then a ride. We drove up to the truck and I had them ride in the truck with me and Mae and the children road in the car. I took them as far as the Gap turn off and explained that because of the moving van we were going by way of Page. They said that they wanted to go by the way of Jacob Lake, as they had a contact there. I stopped and let them out. Mike and David again got in the truck with me and we continued on. We did stop at dam when we got to Page for a few minutes before continuing on. When we got to Kanab, I honked at the same two Missionaries that I had given a ride. They had told me that they traveled by hitch hiking all the time. They found it interesting that they would leave their apartment in Tuba City, seeing a hitch hiker already trying to catch a ride, so they walk on down the road a block, catch a ride and travel to several locations, as much as 300 miles before returning home in the evening and still see the same person in the same spot, still waiting for a ride. We got to Kanab about 8:30PM so we stayed the night in a motel.
Friday, May 31, 1974
We weren’t very worried about time this morning so took our time getting away. As you leave Kanab, there is a cave that is advertised so we stopped to see it. It is a Tourist Trap, but we didn’t have any money to spend so we soon left. We stopped a couple of times along the way just to get out and stretch our legs, but still arrived at Sunset by 8PM. We just left the truck in the driveway and went to Mom and Dad Jensen’s in Layton, where we stayed the night with them.
Saturday, June 1, 1974
When we got up and had breakfast we went over to the home in Sunset to unload the moving van. This home was the home that belonged to Mae’s parents. When we had made the decision to move to Utah, Mae called and told her parents. They said that the family that had been renting the house were about to move and asked if we would be interested in renting it from them. Mae was especially excited to move back to the home she had been raised in. Many of our family came to help us move in. There was Irven, Bob, Grant, Kathy, Bryce, Georgia and Rick as well as Mom and Dad Porter. Deanna came and got all the children to tended them for us. With all that help we soon had the truck emptied and most things put away. Mae wasn’t feeling very well this afternoon so I had Mom Porter take her to their home. Even though there will be many things for Mae to rearrange and put in different locations, we had everything ready so that we could sleep as a family in the home tonight.
Sunday, June 2, 1974
Scott didn’t sleep last night and he kept both Mae and I up also. Mae still isn’t feeling very well. Mae and I slept in this morning. When we got up we realized that we didn’t have the children’s clothes unpacked so we all missed the morning meetings. Today is Hal’s birthday and Mom Porter invited all the family over for dinner.
Monday, June 3, 1974
I started work for Commercial Security Bank this morning. I spent the day getting re-acquainted with the changes in everything from management to the new building. The processing system I am fairly well acquainted with as I helped with the development of it when I worked for the Bank before. I didn’t get home from work until7PM as I stayed around to get acquainted with the night shift. Mom and Dad Porter, Rick and Georgia and Terry joined us for Family Home Evening, even though Mae is still sick with the flue. Mom and Dad helped me put the children to bed.
Tuesday, June 4, 1974
Mae is sick with the flu this morning. I got quite a bit done around house before I left for work. Sandy help me quite a bit, especially with the baby. I went to work at 5:30PM and worked 11 ½ hours.
Wednesday, June 5, 1974
I got up at 10AM. Mae still isn’t feeling the best. I had to get a new coil put on the car. I then got a few other things done around the house before going into work at 5:30PM. We had a lot of problems at work this evening.
Thursday, June 6, 1974
Mae still isn’t feeling very well. She went over to Doctor Kilburn for a treatment. He said that she has quite a bit of infection. I didn’t get to bed until 6AM and so I slept until noon. I got some Bank papers filled out and took them over to the main office in Ogden. I then went into work.
Friday, June 7, 1974
Mae still isn’t feeling well so went into the Doctor.  He feels that it was caused by the flu. I got a few things done around the house. We were invited over to McDonald’s for dinner this evening. (I believe this is Melba Miskin’s daughter and son-in-law.) I went into work at 8:30PM. Mae cleaned house all evening.
Saturday, June 8, 1974
I didn’t get home from work until after 7am and with just a little to eat I went to bed at 8AM. I got up at 1PM. Mae and I went over to see Georgia and Rick’s new baby boy. They are going to name him Bryan. Both Mother and Child seem to be doing well. Mae and I then went grocery shopping. This evening Bob and Carroll invited us to attend a movie with them. After the show started, if Mae and I would have had a car, we would have got up and left the show. The main character was so vulgar that we just set and cringed. We were very disgusted and did not enjoy the show at all.
Sunday, June 9, 1974
This morning we attended Stake Conference. When we got home I called Mom and Dad Jensen in Idaho Falls to see how they are doing. Bob and Carroll invited Irven, Sandy, Mae and I for dinner. After dinner we attended our Sacrament meetings. We then again gathered at Bob and Carroll’s and the six of us played games.
Monday, June 10, 1974
Mae and I mowed and trimmed the lawns this morning. I then assembled the kids slide and swings. Bob and I went out to the Hill Field Golf course golfing. I am not much at golfing but I enjoyed being with Bob. Mae and the kids went over to see Georgia and their new baby. Work did not go very well tonight.
Tuesday, June 11, 1974
It was late when I got home from work and to bed. I got up 1PM and then I helped Mae wash the house windows before I went back into work. Mae and the children went to Mom and Dad Porter’s for the evening. Work went much better tonight.
Wednesday, June 12, 1974
I got up about 11:30 this morning. Brother Jenson of the Clearfield 1st ward called and asked if I would speak in there Ward this Sunday. I washed a couple more windows for Mae. Mae got her hair done today. I went over to Vern Killburn’s for a treatment before I went to work this evening.
Thursday, June 13, 1974
I didn’t get much done today. I got up at 11:30AM and figured bills. Bob, Grant and I went up to Hill field golfing. When I got home I finished figuring the bills. I took a nap after dinner and then went into work.
Friday, June 14, 1974
After waking up, Mae and I went over to Clearfield and bought a few things for the house. When we got back home I repaired the front room drapes so that they opened and closed better. Sandy and I then played ball for a few minutes before I went to work. Work went well tonight and I had a fairly easy evening.
Saturday, June 15, 1974
I got off work at 6:30AM and so I stopped at Bob’s bakery and visited with him, before going home. He and I got visiting and I stayed to long which caused Mae to worry. After getting some rest, Bob, Robert and I went fishing this afternoon. I hadn’t recorded much about the fishing trip except that Bob caught 1 nice size fish. While I was gone, Mae attended a shower and then took the children over to visit Georgia and Rick.
Sunday, June 16, 1974
I got up early this morning to study for my talk. I attended Priesthood meeting and then came home and got my family to attend Sunday school. Shellie, Mike and David all had parts in the Sunday School’s Father’s Day program. Mae had invited Dad & Mom Porter and Terry over for a Father’s Day dinner. Mom and Dad Porter took our children to their home after dinner. They did this as I had a speaking assignment in the Clearfield 1st Ward Sacrament meeting this afternoon. It was interesting as there were three speakers before me on the program. As the 1st speaker spoke he gave the 1st part of my talk, I thought that was ok I could just skip that section. Then as the 2nd speaker talked she gave the 2nd part of my talk. Again I looked at my notes and I still had the last of my thoughts to rely on. Then the 3rd speaker used the last part of my thoughts. When I got up I just had to rely on the Lord’s help and somehow I came up with a talk as I stood there. I didn’t remember just what I said but I seem to have kept the attention of the congregation as they seem to all be lessoning and after the meeting I had several express appreciation for my talk. After Sacrament meeting Shirley and Kent Murdock invited us to stop at their home and visit for a while.
Monday, June 17, 1974
After getting up and having breakfast, Mae put a picnic lunch together and we took all our family up South Fork canyon to enjoy getting out in the beautiful spring weather. We all relaxed and also did a little fishing. It was very nice but no one caught any fish. We got back home in time for me to take a short nap before going to work.
Tuesday, June 18, 1974
It was late when I got home from work this morning. I slept most of the day. After getting up I washed a couple more windows and then it was time to go back to work.
Wednesday, June 19, 1974
I again went to sleep for a little while after getting home from work. Mae and I went shopping for Shellie’s Birthday presents. We also bought a wedding gift for a reception we are invited to, plus I bought Mae a food grinder as Wedding Anniversary gift. We went out to eat for our Wedding Anniversary. When we got home the children (mainly under Sandy’s direction) had surprised us by decorating the front room for us. We sure have special loving children. I soon had to go back into work.
Thursday, June 20, 1974
Mae and I went to the Salt Lake Temple this morning to see Melba McMillian and Earl Christenson married. Larry and Tammy stopped into our place, just before I had to leave for work. At 8:30pm I took the rest of the night off from work so that Mae and I could attend Melba and Earl’s wedding reception.
Friday, June 21, 1974
This morning Larry, Tammy, Mae and I went through a session at the Ogden Temple. This afternoon we took all our family plus Cindy (Hal and Jean’s daughter) and Sherrie (Bob and Carroll’s daughter) to Como Springs in Morgan, swimming for Shellie’s Birthday. We all had fun and didn’t get home until 8PM. I then had to go straight into work.
Saturday, June 22, 1974
I got up at 1PM today. I went back over to the bank for a little while and then got a haircut. After getting the kids to bed, we left Sandy to baby sit for us. Mae and I then went over to Bob and Carroll’s. From there the four of us went over to some other friends of theirs. When we got home Mae and I stayed up talking until 1:30AM before going to bed.
Sunday, June 23, 1974
We attended Priesthood meeting and Sunday school this morning. After getting home I studied for my talk and then took a nap. Mom and Dad Porter and Bob and Carroll attended our Sacrament meeting as Mae and I spoke in Sacrament meeting today. Both Mom and Dad Porter and Bob and Carroll came over to our place just to visit for a while after the meeting. Dad Porter isn’t feeling very well today. Scott got his first tooth in today.
Monday, June 24, 1974
This morning Robert, Bob’s boy and I went fishing. We went up on South Fork of the Ogden River. I caught one fish and that was about all the luck we had today. I went into work this evening.
Tuesday, June 25, 1974
When I got up, I went over and bought the stain and varnish so I can finish the corner table I have built for Mae. I also tended Scott while Mae and Shellie went shopping.
Wednesday, June 26, 1974
I didn’t get up until noon. Hal had called and wanted to know if we could go swimming with them this afternoon. Mae was at Relief Society meeting and so when she got we talked it over and called Hal. We all went up to Como in Morgan. We all had a good time being together. When we got home I had to hurry and leave for work. Mae sure is a wonderful wife and sweetheart. I put in my Diary a short note that Mae bought a coat today.
Thursday, June 27, 1974
After getting up today, I worked on Mae’s corner table. Mae had a P.T.A. meeting to attend this evening. Mae also got her hair done this afternoon. Tonight at work I ran the shift by myself, for the first time. We did have some problems and was therefore late with the delivery schedule.
Friday, June 28, 1974
I got home from work at 5AM and then got ready to go fishing with Mr. Turnner. We didn’t have any luck. I got home from fishing and went to bed about 10AM. Irven and Sandy came over as well as Bob to talk to me about a business opportunity. Irven had seen some property west of Ridge Road in Syracuse for sale at quite a low price. I brought up a couple of concerns. First: it is in a swampy area almost Lake level, with no place for drainage. Second: there is no utility west of Ridge Road in that area. Irven felt that in time utilities will probably be brought in. I guess I squashed the deal with my concerns. (Even today in 2016, Irven still brings up that opportunity that we passed up. If my memory is correct of the peace of property he was talking about, it is still only a piece of property where a few horses are pastured, even though some of the property around that are is now in housing. Maybe someday, someone will find a way to drain the area and we might find that we missed out on a great deal!) Mom and Dad Jensen bought a home in Layton today. While we were in Arizona they came down there a couple of winters. They would stay with another couple from Idaho Falls that had a winter home in Mesa. I guess that with us being down there they had got talking about moving down. One day while working at the Idaho Falls temple Dad had mentioned to another worker that he was thinking about the move and would probably sell their home there in I.F. The next day the fellow ask Dad what he would be asking for the home. Dad hadn’t put much thought into it and quickly figured what the home had cost him to build, not considering the inflation. He just came up with a rough figure. The next day the man said that he would like to buy it and would give him what he had said. Well, Dad wouldn’t back down or refigure once he had given a price so he sold the house. They then found out that we were moving back to Utah. With us moving, they really didn’t want to be in Arizona alone. They stopped in Layton and looked at a home and so bought it. Over all it worked out fairly well for them in the long run but there is quite a story about that.
Saturday, June 29, 1974
I stopped on the way home and visited with Bob. I don’t think that we are interested in Irven and Sandy’s business proposal. Mom and Dad Jensen stopped over for a few minutes but decided that they needed to go back to I.F. and start getting thing finished up there. I got up at 12:30PM. Bob, Irven, Craig (a friend of Bob) and I with our families all went up on the Weber River fishing. I think that we took our families to the Morgan City park where they enjoyed the park while the four of us men enjoyed fishing. We had a good time.
Sunday, June 30, 1974
We woke up to late for me to attend Priesthood meeting.  We attended Sacrament meeting with Georgia and Rick as they are blessing their baby today. I had the privilege of standing in the in the circle as Rick gave Bryan a name and pronounced a Blessing on their first son. Mom and Dad Porter invited all the family to their place for dinner after the meeting ended. This evening we got together with John and Linda Willerton and Bob and Pauline Hein just for visit.
 I did get up at 11AM as we need new tires on the car. I bought a set of 4 Pirelli Steel Belted all season tires for our car. I sure hope they are worth is as they cost us $300 for the set. I did go into work this evening although I still fill a little under the weather.
Tuesday, July 2, 1974
I didn’t get home from work until 10AM. I slept for a little while and then Mae and I drove to Salt Lake to see about buying a table saw. We didn’t find anything that I liked that was within our budget. I had suggested to the bank that we build two special cabinets for the sorting of check that were rejected by the check reader. What we are doing now is too disorderly and many errors are occurring. I had drawn designs and they were approved for me to build. The bank will pay me for them. I had figured the material costs and added some for my labor. I figured my labor would cover the cost of a table saw. I have also visited with our neighbor Tommy Thompson and got permission to use his garage as a working area to build in. After returning from Salt Lake I again laid down and slept for a while before going into work.
Wednesday, July 3, 1974
This morning I got home from work a little after 8AM. I slept until 2PM and then got up and went into Ogden to purchase the materials for the cabinets. I then went to Mc Entire and Hilton Lumber, in Clearfield, where I purchased a table saw that they had on a pretty good sale. This evening Mom and Dad Jensen stopped in to visit. They have decided to purchase a home in Layton.
Thursday, July 4, 1974
I never got home from the work until 9:45AM. When I got home Mae announced that Scott’s second tooth had came through. I slept until noon and then all of us went to Uncle Verl and Aunt Beth’s for a Porter Family gathering. We had a very enjoyable afternoon. This evening Georgia and Rick came to our place. The four of us played Rook and enjoyed being together. After going to bed tonight, Mae and I laid and talked for some time. I sure love her. I didn’t have to go into work this evening as it is a holiday and the Banks are closed.
Friday, July 5, 1974
I went into town this morning to take care of some business. After returning home I put my new table saw together. I then put another coat of finish on the corner table I built for Mae. I went into work at 9PM.
Saturday, July 6, 1974
I worked until 11am, as we had several problems during the shift. Mae tended Irven and Sandy’s children today for them today. Even with the added noise of the children I was still able to sleep. Mae sure tries everything to keep the children quite. We have found that if we put a fan inside our bedroom that it not only helps cool the room down a little but the noise also drowns out the children’s playing. After getting up and having dinner, Mae and I went to John and Linda Willerton’s for the evening.
Sunday, July 7, 1974
We were able to attend all our church meetings today. Fast and Testimony meeting was especially enjoyable today. Mae had a lot of phone calls today, plus we called and talked with Jim and Marion Frazer for quite a while. We then took our family on a walk through the park and enjoyed them running and playing.
Monday, July 8, 1974
To day I finished the corner table I have built for Mae. I then mowed our lawn. I also got about ½ of the cabinets cut out that I am building for the bank. At 6 pm RaNae, Richard Barney and their family came over. We ate down to the park and then held Family Home evening with them. We had a very nice evening. I went into work at 11:30PM.
Tuesday, July 9, 1974
It was after 10 am when I got from work. After getting some sleep, I worked on the cabinets for the bank. At 8pm I set down and watched a show on TV. At 9 pm Mae joined me for a little while and then at 10pm I laid down for another hour of sleep before going in to work at the bank.
Wednesday, July 10, 1974
I got off work this morning a little after 8 am. I went to bed and slept until 3pm. I worked on the cabinets for the bank most of the evening and then I got a couple more hours sleep before going back to work.
Thursday, July 11, 1974
I got home from work at 8am and soon went to bed. I slept until 2pm but when I woke I was sick to my stomach. I was able to go back to sleep and slept until 6pm. Mae and I got things packed to go to a Hill Family reunion tomorrow. I went into work at 11:30pm.
Friday, July 12, 1974
I got off work this morning at 6am. When I got home I slept for a couple of hours and then we got things packed in the car and started for Idaho.  By the time we got to Brigham City I stopped knowing that we had to make some changes or return home and not attend the Reunion. There was a U-Haul dealer there and I checked about renting a small trailer. The price was very reasonable, especially when I rented it in Brigham City and would return it to Ogden. I questioned the attendant, telling him that I was going to take it clear to Idaho and back. He said he didn’t care where I took the trailer but the charge was for picking up the trailer in Brigham City and returning it to Ogden. We transferred all our camping equipment to the trailer, giving us whole car for our family. It sure changed the feeling and we all really enjoyed the trip. We got to Idaho Falls about 4pm and then went on to Meadow Lake, getting there about 6:30pm.
Saturday, July 13, 1974
I couldn’t sleep so I finally got up, at 4am, so that Mae could sleep. A little later I went out fishing but had very little luck. It was a very enjoyable day being with the extended Hill family. During the day I took the children out fishing. Sandy caught 2 fish and David caught 1 fish. This evening all the Hill Family gathered for a family program around the campfire.
Sunday, July 14, 1974
We got up about 7AM. Everyone put their fish together and had a great breakfast. We enjoyed visiting with family members until we left to go back to Idaho Falls. We attended Sacrament meeting with Mom and Dad Jensen. Dad Jensen had been asked to speak in Sacrament meeting today and did very well. We enjoyed visiting with Mom and Dad while we played a game of Rook before we went to bed.
Monday, July 15, 1974
Dad Jensen had to go into the Hospital to have some test taken this morning. We stayed until Mom and Dad returned home. We then left for home getting there about 4PM. We unpacked and put things away. After some dinner I laid down and slept for a while before going into work at 11:30PM.
Tuesday, July 16, 1974
After getting home from work this morning, I went to bed. Mae has been very busy today. She cleaned the house and with Sandy’s help she did the washing. She and Shellie picked some cherries and with the girls help they got them canned along with many other little jobs. I got up at 2pm and after having something to eat; I went out in Brother Tompson’s garage and worked on the cabinets I am building for the bank. I worked until 9pm on that job. At 11:30 I went to work at the bank.
Wednesday, July 17, 1974
Work went well last night and I got home shortly after 8am. I slept until 2pm and then worked on the cabinets until 5pm. At 6pm I joined the management and supervisor staff of Commercial Security Bank’s Data Processing Department for a dinner and seminar with management from Idaho Bank and Trust. I B & T is a sister bank with C. S. B. and we do all their Data Processing for them.
Thursday, July 18, 1974
We had problems at work last night and I didn’t get home until after 10AM. I went down to Mom and Dad Porter’s to sleep so that the children wouldn’t wake me. After waking I spent the rest of the evening with Mae and my children, until I had to go to work again.
Friday, July 19, 1974
Work went better last night and I got home at a reasonable hour. After getting some sleep, I worked on the cabinets for a while. Mae and I then drove down to Bob and Carroll’s to visit with them. We came home and I got some more sleep before going into work.
Saturday, July 20, 1974
I got off work at 6 this morning. When I got home I laid down and slept until 9am. At 10:15am Bob, Grant and I left for Idaho Falls. We got to Mom and Dad Jensen’s just before 2PM. We went right to work and had all their furniture and belongings loaded and left for Utah by 5pm. I drove the moving van back. We stopped in Downey and got something to eat. We finished unloading the van and I got home about 10PM. Mom and Dad bought a home at 419 West Paul, in Layton.
What happened is that Mom and Dad got thinking about the cold weather in Idaho. We were living in Arizona and while I worked for the air line, they enjoyed flying down to the warm Arizona weather. When I left the air line it was a long trip to drive down. They came down to Arizona a couple of winters and stayed with some of their friends that lived in Mesa during the winter and in Idaho Falls during the summer. They had talked about selling their home in I.F. and buying a nice trailer home in Mesa. One day while at the Idaho Falls Temple, where both of them were working as Ordinance Workers, Dad Jensen was visiting with another Brother and expressed their thought about selling their home. The Brother asked Dad what he would ask for his home. Dad, without really thinking about the inflation facture, gave a figure, really way below market value. The next day the Brother came back and told Dad that he would give him cash for the house. Well, Dad wouldn’t go back on his word so he sold their home to this couple. They called a trailer company in Mesa and made an offer on a home and put a down payment on it. Almost the next day after the closing of the home in I.F. and the agreement to purchase the mobile home, I called to tell them that we were moving back to Utah. When I called them, they were ready to get in their car to come to Arizona. As Mom and Dad drove south, they decided that they really didn’t want to move to Arizona, if none of their family weren’t going to be living there. As they were driving they discussed their options. When they got to Layton they stopped at a Real Estate office to see what was available in the area. I think they were only shown a couple of homes when they decided on the one we moved their things into.
Sunday, July 21, 1974
I attended Priesthood meeting and then came back to get the children for Sunday school. Mae worked in the library this morning and so had gone in earlier. I wasn’t feeling very well during Sunday School so I came home after the opening exercises and laid down. I still wasn’t feeling the best so after dinner I again laid down for a nap. Mom and Dad Jensen stopped over this evening for a few minutes. I believe they are feeling ok with the way things have turned out. After they left and the children were in bed, Mae and I took a walk, just to have some time together and talk.
Monday, July 22, 1974
I worked all day at Mom and Dad Jensen’s, getting them moved in and everything arranged in their new home. I came home at 4PM and was so tired that I went to bed, so that I could get some sleep before going into work. Mae and the children joined with Mom and Dad Porter, Rick, Georgia,Bryce and Deanna and they all went up the cannon for dinner and Family Home Evening.
Tuesday, July 23, 1974
Larry and Tammy came by today while I was sleeping. They left Lori to spend a few days with Sandy. I worked on the cabinets after getting up at 3PM until 9:30PM when I quite to go to work.
Wednesday, July 24, 1974
I got home this morning at 8:30. After some breakfast I went to bed and slept until 4pm. Mae and the children went into Ogden to see the Pioneer parade. They then went down to Mom and Dad Porters. I went back into work at 7 this evening.
Thursday, July 25, 1974
I worked most of the day on the cabinets. I did call the Real Estate agent in Mesa I am trying to work with.  At that price we will not get anything for our equity in the home. I am not sure what we should do. Mae and I went over to Mom and Dad Jensen’s to visit for a while. They have really been working hard on their home and it sure looks nice.
Friday, July 26, 1974
I figured our bills before coming home from work. I went to bed after getting something for breakfast and slept until 3PM. I went into Ogden to take care of some items. I had planned on getting back home so that I could get some more sleep. However when I got home Jerry and Linda were there at home. They stopped just to visit. It was 11:15PM before they left and I had to leave for work at 11:30PM.
Saturday, July 27, 1974
I was late getting home from work this morning. I slept until 5:30pm. After super Mae and I drove over to look at a home that Georgia & Rick are interested in. We then picked up the children and drove over to see Mom and Dad Jensen. After getting home and putting the small ones down to sleep, Sandy, Mae and I played some Rummy.
Sunday, July 28, 1974
I didn’t sleep very well last night. I attended Priesthood meeting, Sunday School, Stake Priesthood meeting and Stake High Priesthood meeting, along with Sacrament meeting this evening. They were all very good but by the end of the day I was tired. This evening I called and visited with Jim and Marion about the possibility of them buying our home in Mesa. They said that they would like to but they couldn’t offer us anymore than $2,000 for our equity. (I really felt that it was almost a slap in the face, but as thing later worked out we would have been better getting that much out of it compared to what we ended up losing.)
Monday, July 29, 1974
I woke up at 4am and couldn’t go back to sleep. I read from the Pearl of Great Price and from the Book of Mormon. At 8am I went out and started working on the cabinets, working for about 5 hours. Sandy graduated from Primary today. We had a nice Family Home Evening before putting the children to bed. I went into work about 11pm.
Tuesday, July 30, 1974
I didn’t get home from work this morning until 10:15. I ate and went to bed. This afternoon Mae and I went with Bishop Delmar and Sister June Moulton to the Ogden Temple. Following the session we went out to eat at the China Night. It was sure an enjoyable time being with Bishop and Sister Moulton. Although they are old enough to be our parents, they are very special friends.
Wednesday, July 31, 1974
Work went well last night and I got home early this morning. However, I didn’t get much sleep, as I had to go back into work at noon. The bank is hosting a lunch and meeting with officers from Idaho Bank and Truss, IB&T. After returning from that meeting, I went over to Mom and Dad Jensen’s and hung the large mirror that we had bought them for their wedding. I came back home and got a little sleep before going back into work.
Thursday, August 1, 1974
I was late getting home from work because of a bad night. I slept until 3pm. I was going to go down to the Stake farm to weed, but I couldn’t find it. Mae and I went over to visit the Taylor’s. I cut the boy’s hair before they went to bed.
Friday, August 2, 1974
We had problems at work again tonight, so I was late getting home. This evening Mae and I went with Dennis and Eleanor Ewing to Mae and Eleanor’s 15 YEAR, Davis High school class reunion. It was nice and being with Dennis and Eleanor was a lot of fun.
Saturday, August 3, 1974
I was late getting home from work this morning. After getting up, I spent most of the day working on the cabinets. This evening Bryce and Deanna stopped in just to visit.
Sunday, August 4, 1974
I woke up at 4:30 this morning and wrote my talk for Sunday school. Mae, Sandy and I were asked to speak in the Opening Exercises of Sunday School today. This evening Bob and Pauline Hine came up to visit with us. They are now living in Salt Lake.
Monday, August 5, 1974
I got up at 4:30 this morning and started working on the cabinets. I finished the first set of cabinet, before I went into the office for a meeting. The meeting lasted from 8AM until 11AM. Jim and Marion Fraizer got to our place about 10AM. Mae had lunch ready when I got home. After eating lunch we took both of our families and went to Hogal Zoo and to Liberty Park.
Tuesday, August 6, 1974
I never got home from work until after 10am. I slept until 5:30 pm. After dinner, Jim, Marion, Mae and I went into the Ogden Temple but got there too late to go on a session. We went over to Farr’s Ice Cream before coming back home. It rained this evening.
Wednesday, August 7, 1974
I got home from work late again today. Jim, Marion, Mae and I went to the Ogden Temple again today but a little earlier this time. After the session, we went out to eat. We had a very nice evening before I had to go into work.
Thursday, August 8, 1974
I got home from work late again. We took the Fraizer’s, our family and went up South Willow cannon on a picnic. We had a very nice time. Mae asked me if we could get a house dog. When I started to object, she said that Sandi needed a pet, then she added, saying that she didn’t feel safe with me being gone nights and leaving her and the children to be at home alone. How could I argue with that? I told her that if she could find a dog, that was over 1 year old, was a female, had had a litter of pups and then had been spaded, had all her shots, didn’t cost very much, didn’t shed hair all over, was good with children, (then to make it impossible) was white, she could get it.
Friday, August 9, 1974
Work went some better last night, but there are some real moral problems with some of the night shift employees. Mae had gone to have her hair done before I got home this morning. Jim and Marrion Fraizer left to return to their home about 10:30AM. They stayed long enough for me to get home so they could say good bye before they left. Before I laid down to sleep Mae told me that she had found a dog. I questioned if it met all my specifications. She said that it did. She said that the lady that did her hair had just the dog. Mae took Mike into the Dr. for a physical examination before he starts school. I went into a meeting at work from 4 to 8PM. In that meeting I brought up the problem that was occurring with my employees. As I saw it the problem, it mainly stemmed over two employs that had not received a raise in pay, for over a year. I was then told that these two had found that if they were a little short of money before payday, they could cash a check, make a tear in the routing number, the check would then reject as it went through the check reader. Because they worked as “batch balancers” they would see their check come through the bank. They then would simply put the check into another Bank’s work, and the check would take another two or three days before returning to the bank for clearance. One of the banks recognized the seam and reported it back to our bank. The two were called in and confessed their action but didn’t think it was wrong. They could have been fired over it but it had been decided to let it go with a warning. This incident took place almost a year before I returned to work for the bank. Management also decided that they would also forgo any raises. I expressed my feelings that they were two of my best workers. I felt that it was wrong to continue to punish them by withholding raises and if they could not make amends then they should be terminated. After returning from the meeting, I had to go back to work by 11:30PM.
Saturday, August 10, 1974
Work went some better last night. I think talking to the employees about the results of the meeting yesterday help quite a bit. I didn’t get home from work this morning until 11:30AM. I slept until 5PM and then Mae and I went with Deanna to pick corn. This evening Mae and I went to a movie, “Where the Lillie’s Grow”. It sure was good to spend an evening with Mae.
Sunday, August 11, 1974
After attending Sacrament meeting, we had a light lunch, before going to Mom and Dad Jensen’s Ward where we attended their Sacrament meeting. I felt very impressed with their Ward’s Sacrament meeting. Following the meeting, Bob’s family, Irven’s family and our Family got together at Mom and Dad’s place for dinner. We had a wonderful time being together. Before going home we went to Mae’s hairdresser and got the dog that Mae had bought for Sandi. She is a 1 ½ year old Spits. She really met every condition that I had set. Her name is Casper and the whole family fell in love with her.
Monday, August 12, 1974
I stained and put the 1st coat of varnish on the cabinets I am building for the bank. We had the kids shuck the corn that we picked on Saturday. The whole family helped as we cut the corn from the cob, washed it, blanched it in hot water and then cooled it down in ice water. We then bagged the corn in plastic bags and put it into the freezer. We sure enjoy the corn put up that way and it is so much cheaper than purchasing it from the store. After finishing up that job, we went down to Mom and Dad Porter’s where we held Family Home Evening. I am sure that Mom had a nice dinner ready when we got there.
Tuesday, August 13, 1974
I got off work at 8:45AM. After I woke up and had my breakfast this afternoon, I sanded the cabinets down that I am building for the bank. At 5PM I went with Brother Ben Sisinaro to weed potatoes at the Stake farm. After returning home I relaxed and watched a TV show with my sweetheart and Sandy.
Wednesday, August 14, 1974
Mae and the children went to Lagoon with Mom and Dad Porter. I was going to go with them also but I was late getting home from work and by the time I woke up it was too late. With no one else at home I went out in the garage and put the finishing on the cabinets. Mae was disappointed that I hadn’t been able to go with them, because Mom Porter had to return home earlier than my family wanted to return. Being that they had gone in Mom’s car it meant that my family also had to come home.
Thursday, August 15, 1974
After getting home from work and getting some sleep, Mae and I went over to Dr. Kilburn’s and each got a treatment. This afternoon we took some tables and chairs from the church house to Sister Miskin’s, where we are holding a Ward party tomorrow evening.
Friday, August 16, 1974
Work did not go well last night and so I was late getting home this morning. I woke up at 2:45PM and was still upset about work. Our Ward asked everyone to set today aside for a Temple Day. Therefore, this afternoon we went to the Ogden Temple with other members of the Ward and went through an Endowment Session. Following the session everyone went to Sister Miskin’s back yard for a party and get together. We had a good turnout from the Ward and everyone seemed to have an enjoyable evening.
(From my entrance on Tuesday, August 20th, I believe I can and should add some insight to this entry, as to some of the reasons why work didn’t go well!) When I got to work last Thursday evening, the Senior Programmer met me and said, “I heard that you were going to come into the Programming Staff and if so when?” I told him that I was not sure, but that is what John Howard had told me when he hired me. He said that he had never heard anything about that move until he was told a rumor this morning. This conversation caused me to reflect on this, through the night. Sometime ago I had met with John, asking him about the promise to move me into the programming staff. He had told me that we needed to first train someone to take my place. I should, therefore, select someone to train. I suggested Bobby (don’t recall his last name) to which John agreed, pending Bobby’s willingness. I met privately with Bobby and asked if he would be in favor of that position and he had indicated that he would. For some time I have been training Bobby and I believed that he was now well qualified to take my position. In recent meetings with John, I have told him that I felt that Bobby was now qualified to take over the Night Shift Supervisor position. However, nothing has ever happened. Thinking of these past events, I determined to again confront John, but John is now on a two week vacation and will still be gone for another week.)
Saturday, August 17, 1974
After getting home from work, I had a little breakfast and went to bed. I slept until 5PM before getting up. We got things gathered up to go on an overnight camping trip. We plan on leaving Sunday evening and staying over until Monday evening. We had a relaxing evening together as a family. Mae and I didn’t get to bed until almost 11PM.
Sunday, August 18, 1974
I attended Priesthood meeting and then came back and got my family. We attended Sunday school and then came home to a wonderful chicken dinner that Mae had prepared. This afternoon we all attended Sacrament meeting and enjoyed the Spirit we felt there. We finished packing and left for the Meadows, up South Fork canyon of the Ogden River. We had let Sandy invite Julie Cisneros’s to also go with us. We enjoyed a very nice evening. Scott didn’t sleep very well and had us up some during the night.
Monday, August 19, 1974
Mae and I didn’t sleep very well last night as Scott and David kept getting uncovered and getting cold. We didn’t do much, but just had a relaxing day. Sandy and Jullie wanted to go for a walk so I went with them, also taking the little children with us.  Sandy, Jullie and I continued the walk. As Mae was returning to our camp site, she saw that the gate to Camp Beaver was open so she drove into the camp to show the children where she went camping with the Girls Camp when we lived in Ogden. Well, when she went to leave the gate had been closed and locked. (Because this entry was written in a Five Year Diary, I ran out of space to write more. Neither Mae nor I can remember how we got the car out.)
Tuesday, August 20, 1974
Work went pretty well last night (Add in: however I continued thinking about my promises that John Howard had made me when I accepted the offer to come to work for the Bank.) Before leaving to come home, because John is still on vacation and won’t be back for a week, I tried to call Ross Kendale that I might set up an appointment with him, concerning the agreements John had made with me when I accepted this job. To my disappointment, Mr. Kendale is out of the bank today. I arrived home by 9AM and after taking a nap, I went to the Stake farm and pulled weeds in the potato field.
Wednesday, August 21, 1974
This evening after getting up I just relaxed being home. Terry, Mae’s brother, came over and had dinner with us. Terry and I visited after dinner and it may have been at this time as we were talking about marriage, and Terry was dating some very pretty nice girls, that he said that he would not get married before he was 24 years old. It ended up in a bet for a steak dinner that he wouldn’t wait that long. As it ended up I had to pay that bet. I received a call asking me to meet with our Stake President this evening. I went over to the Stake Center and met with President Peterson of the Stake Presidency. He extended a call for me to be the Ward High Priest Group Leader. Wow! I felt over whelmed, but accepted the calling. After returning home, I continued the visit with Terry until 10:30PM when I had to excuse myself to go into work.
Thursday, August 22, 1974
I got up at 3PM and went down to Mae’s parents. I visited with Dad Porter about putting in a concrete driveway. He felt ok with that and said that I could take the expenses out of our rent payment. Mae and Mom Porter canned pickle relish today. Mae and Sandy went into Ogden shopping for school clothes. Mom Porter invited us down for dinner, with them, this evening.
Friday, August 23, 1974
After I got up, Mae and I went to buy a wedding gift for Bishop Sly’s daughter and her new Husband. Mae picked out some crystal dishes that she really liked, so I bought two sets of them, one for the wedding gift and one for my Sweetheart. This evening we took our dinner and all our family to the park where we ate and let the children play. Later Mae, Mom Porter and I attended the Wedding Reception of Sister and Bishop Sid Sly’s daughter and her new husband.
Saturday, August 24, 1974
I didn’t get home from work until 11AM and then was called on the phone twice during the day with problems at work. Mae and I went with Rick and Georgia to look at a home in Clearfield. This evening Rick, Georgia, Kim and Luana came over to our place and we played Rook. We had a very enjoyable evening.
Sunday, August 25, 1974
This morning during Priesthood meeting I was sustained and set apart as the High Priest Group Leader in the Sunset 2nd Ward in the Sunset Stake. After getting home from Sacrament meeting, we watched a TV show as a family. Then Sandy tended the children while Mae and I went down to Mom and Dad Porters and played games with some of the family.
Monday, August 26, 1974
After breakfast, I went down to Mom and dad Porters and picked two bushels of tomatoes. While I was there, Mae registered the children in school. Mike is starting Kindergarten, Shellie will start the 2nd Grade and Sandy will be in the 7th grade at Sunset Jr. High. Mae and I then canned the tomatoes into Tomato Juice, getting 40 quarts of juice. This evening we had a nice Family Home Evening with all the children reporting about their first day of school, along with a good lesson. I went into work on my normal schedual.
Tuesday, August 27, 1974
I was late getting home from work this morning due to some problems. Mae went over to the Ward Library this evening. I met with Herman Udink for a while. Brother Udink was the previous High Priest Group leader. I appreciated his input and information that he could share with me concerning the members of our Quorum.
Wednesday, August 28, 1974
Before leaving work, I visited with John Howard. He told me that the Bank is going to reimburse us 4 months back interest on our home in Mesa. That will really help us out, as so far we haven’t had any interest in purchasing the home. This evening Mae and I took Terry, Mae’s brother, and his date out to dinner. Some time ago, I had bet Terry that he would be married before he reached his 25th Birthday. He still isn’t married, so I decided to pay up. We had a nice evening.
Thursday, August 29, 1974
Before coming home I figured the bills. They don’t look very good. Sandy started taking piano lessons with Mr. Pingree who has his studio in Roy. He seems to be a very good teacher.
Friday, August 30, 1974
After getting home from work and going to bed, I got up at 3PM. I then went to Farmington and registered our car and got Utah license plates. This evening Mae and I attended the Ogden Temple and enjoyed a nice session.
Saturday, August 31, 1974
I came home at 6:30 this morning. After getting a little sleep I worked on the driveway and a retaining was on the west end of the driveway. I went to the Barber Shop and got a haircut. I then went over to Mom Jensen’s and cut our turkey in half. (I don’t remember the circumstance about that.) This evening we had invited Irven, Sandy, Bryce, Deanna, Mom Porter and Mom Jensen over to play games. (I guess Dad Porter and Dad Jensen didn’t feel like joining with us this evening.)
Sunday, September 1, 1974
After attending our meetings, my family went over to Mom and Dad Jensen’s for a family dinner. Irven and Bob’s familys were also there. After returning home this evening, we put the children down to bed. Mae and I then set up and watched a show on TV. Mae is sure a wonderful wife and sweetheart.
Monday, September 2, 1974
Today being Labor Day, I won’t have to go into work tonight. We took our family to Uncle Dale and Aunt Ester’s cabin that is up in Morgan County. Beside their family, they had invited Uncle Verl’s family and Mom and Dad Porter’s family to come up for dinner. (Addition to my Diary entry. As we started driving up the dirt road I realized that we had been here before. Shortly after we moved to Utah, Bob and Pauline Hien stopped at our place and asked us to go for a ride with them.  Bob stopped the car and asked me what I thought. Questionably, I ask what he meant. Bob said that he had a chance to buy this area. I guess I discouraged him for as I couldn’t see much he could do with it, being 1 ½ miles of paved roads with no utilities to the property. I guess that shortly after that Uncle Dale purchased this property and put a cabin on it. I have always wondered if I was wrong in my advice to Bob.) I took Mike and David out away from the cabin and we shot did some target practice with my 22 rifle riffle. We had a nice dinner, played games, visited and just had a good time. It was a very enjoyable time. I sure love Mae.
Tuesday, September 3, 1974
After getting up, I enjoyed helping Mae around the house. I ordered some road base to be delivered, for our driveway. I really enjoyed the day being with Mae.
Wednesday, September 4, 1974
Last night was a very bad night at work. I didn’t get home until after 1:30 PM. I slept until 5:30PM when I got up. We had invited Hal and Jean over for dinner. After dinner Hal and I played a game of chess. As normal our chess games will last a couple of hours or more until I become mentally executed and I make a mistake and Hal then wins.
Thursday, September 5, 1974
After getting home from work this morning, I helped Mae and Mom Porter put up some peaches for a while. A few days ago I had a couple of dump truck of road base delivered to the house. Today, one of the workers from Sunset City came over with a grader and level the road base in our driveway for me. I believe it was Margie Nelson’s brother or Brother-in-law that did it for us. That sure saved me a lot of hand labor. After that was done, I laid down and slept the rest of the afternoon, until I had to get to go into work.
Friday, September 6, 1974
After getting home from work and sleeping for a while I got up. I didn’t do much this afternoon except visit with Brother Thompson. This evening we took our family out to eat at McDonalds. After returning home and getting the children to bed, Mae and I watched a good show on TV about Abraham Lincoln. I then had to go to work. At work this evening I became very tired and so after finishing what I had to do I turned the shift over to Bobby and I went home.
Saturday, September 7, 1974
When I got home I went straight to bed. I woke up at 10AM and figured materials for our driveway. I then went over to Mom and Dad Jensen’s and figured materials for a project they want me to do. They would like their carport turned into a garage. From there I went back to work and finished up a couple of projects I had left undone when I went home. Mae had a display she was working on this evening.
Sunday, September 8, 1974
After Sunday school we went down to Mom and Dad Porters for a Birthday dinner for Georgia and Kim. After dinner, Hal and I started a game of chess. I indicate in my Diary that I won. To add a little more detail, Hal made a bad mistake and I took advantage of it and put him in serious trouble, with his next move I would have his king in check mate. About that time Mae came in and said that I needed to get ready to attend Sacrament meeting. Hal jumped on that and said that we would just call the game a draw. I responded that he needed to make his move first and that I still had time to get ready for Church. He kept stalling until Mae came and said that we needed to leave. I told her to take the children and go. I would catch the next Wards meeting. Hal of course encouraged me to attend the meeting. I refused to call the game a draw so he could stall as long as he wanted but ether he made his move or concede the game. Hal finally tipped his king over and conceded. I quickly changed my clothes and made it to Sacrament meeting. Following Sacrament meeting Deanna came over to our place. We ate super and then played some Rook. Larry called me to let me know that he had two people, the Allen’s and the Elis’s, that are interested in buying our home. The problem being, that both of them want it for nothing. Maybe if I could have seen the future, we would have been better off just getting out of the house. However I turned the offer down.
Monday, September 9, 1974
After breakfast I worked on the driveway for about 4 hours. I then helped Mae put up fruit away. We then drove out to look at a home for sale in West Warren, it was a disaster! After dinner I laid down for a short nap. We then held Family Home Evening with our family. I laid back down for a little more sleep before going into work at 11:30PM.
Tuesday, September 10, 1974
I never got home from work until 10:30AM. After getting some sleep, I repaired the power steering on our car. I also talked to Larry on the phone about our home in Arizona. Larry feels that we need to install Shutters on the home to dress it up some. He is also concerned as the back yard is not fenced and almost all homes in the Mesa area do have fenced yards.
Wednesday, September 11, 1974
I worked late this morning before going home. Mae went shopping today for David’s Birthday presents. When I got up I played with my children until it was their bed time. Larry called me again this evening about a lady that is interested in buying our home. Mae and I talked until time for her to go to bed. I slept with her for a little while before going into work.
Thursday, September 12, 1974
I worked late again this morning. When I got up this afternoon we had a nice Birthday dinner for David. Mae had invited Mom and Dad Jensen to eat with us. After dinner and opening the presents, Mom and Dad visited for a while before they went home. Mae sure is a wonderful wife and sweetheart. We talked for some time until I had to shower and go in to work.
Friday, September 13, 1974
I left work at 8AM getting home a little earlier than usual. David asked me why I had to work all the time. I set down with him and explained that I worked to earn money and with that money we bought food, clothes and other things that we needed as a family. After that explanation, David went into his room and brought out a Birthday Dollar he had received yesterday, and offered it to me to help out. I was really touched by his thoughts; in fact even as I type this, the thought brings tears to my eyes. Georgia and Rick invited Sandy and Shellie to spend the night with them tonight. After they came and got them, the boys, Mae and I watched a show on TV, before the boys went to bed. Mae and I then talked about our situation until I had to shower and go back into work.
Saturday, September 14, 1974